How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Clive, IA?

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Clive, IA is about 123.6 miles (198.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 113.2 miles (182.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
123.61 mi
02h 21m
Flight
113.16 mi
182.12 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Council Bluffs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
113.16 mi
Kilometers
182.12 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
123.61 mi
Kilometers
198.93 km
Drive Time
02h 21m

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 02h 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clive
Thu, May 7, 2:06 PM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Thu, May 7, 4:27 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-05-07T11:45
Arrive Clive
Thu, May 7, 2:06 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:21 AM to 12:21 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:48 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Council Bluffs
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Brayton
IA

Human settlement in Audubon County, Iowa, United States of America

From Council Bluffs
61.6 mi
01h 10m
To Clive
62 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph WSW
Destination
66°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Clive.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Clive.

  1. 1

    Start on West Broadway

    1850 ft · 1 min · West Broadway

  2. 2

    Continue on West Broadway

    3251 ft · 1 min · West Broadway

  3. 3

    Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard

    4.2 mi · 8 min · West Kanesville Boulevard

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left

    1399 ft · 34 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    113.8 mi · 2 hr 2 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward West Des Moines, Clive, 22nd Street

    1724 ft · 50 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 22nd Street

    3077 ft · 1 min · 22nd Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Northwest 86th Street

    1685 ft · 41 sec · Northwest 86th Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto University Boulevard

    1.2 km · 2 min · University Boulevard

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Northwest 78th Street

    860 ft · 38 sec · Northwest 78th Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Northwest 78th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Clive.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Kanesville Boulevard
118 mi · 96%
John MacVicar Freeway
2.29 mi · 2%
West Broadway
0.97 mi · 1%
University Boulevard
0.72 mi · 1%
22nd Street
0.58 mi
West Des Moines
0.33 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.4 mi
113.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brayton
01h 10m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
1:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Partly Sunny near Clive.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Clive?

The road trip is about 123.6 miles (198.9 km) and usually takes 02h 21m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Brayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.6 miles from Council Bluffs and 62 miles from Clive.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 113.2 miles (182.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.44 one way or $32.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Council Bluffs and Partly Sunny near Clive.

Stop Ideas Near Brayton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Brayton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Brayton.

RAIL

Creston

72 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Omaha

90 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Osceola

112 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Clive. Straight-line distance: 113.16 mi (182.12 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Clive

#2 Clive

Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America

Population17,444
Coordinates41.6030400, -93.7241100
Altitude254
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Clive (-93.72411, 41.60304)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 199 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.36 gal
16.51 L · about $16.44
Round trip
$32.88
8.72 gal · 33.02 L
Estimated CO2
38.7 kg one way
Round trip: 77.5 kg / 171 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.44 $32.88
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.54 $37.09
Premium $4.65 $20.29 $40.58
Diesel $5.30 $23.13 $46.25

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 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Clive. The current time is 11:45:40.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.