How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is about 249.5 miles (401.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 223.8 miles (360.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 57m 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 03h 58m.
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.
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Cedar Rapids.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Cedar Rapids.
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1
Start on West Broadway
1850 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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2
Continue on West Broadway
3251 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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3
Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard
4.2 mi · 8 min · West Kanesville Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp slight left
1399 ft · 34 sec
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5
Merge slight left
113.8 mi · 2 hr 2 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
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7
Keep slight left
4.5 mi · 5 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
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9
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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10
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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11
Take the exit right
2792 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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13
Continue on 73rd Street
26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.6 km · 2 min
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15
Continue straight
8.3 mi · 10 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
1323 ft · 32 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
687 ft · 15 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
1332 ft · 32 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
2737 ft · 39 sec · Avenue of the Saints
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20
Take the exit slight right
1398 ft · 34 sec
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21
Keep slight left
37 m · 5 sec
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22
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast
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23
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
56 m · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
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24
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
54 m · 8 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
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25
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
130 m · 19 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Cedar Rapids.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
West Kanesville Boulevard
Merge slight left
114 mi · 02h 02m
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Council Bluffs and Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cedar Rapids.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Cedar Rapids?
The road trip is about 249.5 miles (401.5 km) and usually takes 03h 58m 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?
Urbandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.6 miles from Council Bluffs and 125 miles from Cedar Rapids.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 223.8 miles (360.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.7 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 9:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.18 one way or $66.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Council Bluffs and Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cedar Rapids.
Stop Ideas Near Urbandale
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 Urbandale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Cedar Rapids. Straight-line distance: 223.75 mi (360.09 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 Cedar Rapids
The second most populous city in Iowa.
| Population | 134,027 |
| Coordinates | 42.0083300, -91.6440700 |
| Altitude | 247 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tiperary Drive Northeast (-91.643986, 42.00833)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 402 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.18 | $66.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.43 | $74.85 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.96 | $81.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.68 | $93.35 |
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 · May 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.