How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Clear Lake, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Clear Lake, IA is about 242.1 miles (389.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.4 miles (292 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 56m 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 04h 28m.
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.
Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Clear Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Clear Lake.
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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 right to continue on I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
106.7 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
1386 ft · 40 sec
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9
Turn left onto 4th Avenue South
1.2 mi · 2 min · 4th Avenue South
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10
Turn right onto South 8th Street
1671 ft · 34 sec · South 8th Street
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11
Turn left onto 1st Avenue North
57 m · 14 sec · 1st Avenue North
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12
Turn left onto North 6th Street
24 m · 4 sec · North 6th Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Clear Lake.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Clear Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Clear Lake?
The road trip is about 242.1 miles (389.7 km) and usually takes 04h 28m 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?
Clive is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121 miles from Council Bluffs and 121.2 miles from Clear Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.4 miles (292 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.7 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 8:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.20 one way or $64.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny around Council Bluffs and Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Clear Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Clive
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 Clive.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Clear Lake. Straight-line distance: 181.47 mi (292.04 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 Clear Lake
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 7,517 |
| Coordinates | 43.1380200, -93.3793700 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clear Lake (-93.37937, 43.13802)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 390 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.20 | $64.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.32 | $72.64 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.75 | $79.49 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.30 | $90.59 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.