How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Buffalo, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Buffalo, IA is about 299.7 miles (482.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 266.8 miles (429.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 33m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Jasper County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Buffalo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Buffalo.
-
1
Start on West Broadway
1850 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
-
2
Continue on West Broadway
3251 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
-
3
Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard
4.2 mi · 8 min · West Kanesville Boulevard
-
4
Take the ramp slight left
1399 ft · 34 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
113.8 mi · 2 hr 2 min
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
-
7
Keep slight left
152.3 mi · 2 hr 45 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 280 East, US 6 East, US 61 South: Rock Island, Moline
8.3 mi · 10 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 22: Rockingham Road, Buffalo
2082 ft · 54 sec
-
10
Turn right onto Rockingham Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · Rockingham Road
-
11
Continue on East Front Street
2.9 mi · 4 min · East Front Street
-
12
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
114 m · 17 sec · Jefferson Street
-
13
Turn left onto 2nd Street
11 m · 2 sec · 2nd Street
-
14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Buffalo.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 35
Keep slight left
152 mi · 02h 45m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Buffalo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Buffalo?
The road trip is about 299.7 miles (482.4 km) and usually takes 05h 33m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Colfax is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.6 miles from Council Bluffs and 150.2 miles from Buffalo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 266.8 miles (429.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.90 one way or $79.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Buffalo.
Stop Ideas Near Colfax
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Colfax.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 266.72 mi (429.25 km).
#1 Council Bluffs
The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
| Population | 62,216 |
| Coordinates | 41.2619400, -95.8608300 |
| Altitude | 301 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Buffalo
City in Iowa
| Population | 1,257 |
| Coordinates | 41.4564200, -90.7234700 |
| Altitude | 171 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buffalo (-90.72347, 41.45642)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 482 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.90 | $79.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.00 | $89.99 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.24 | $98.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.12 | $112.23 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Iowa · Jun 24, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.