How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Cresco, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Cresco, IA is about 317.5 miles (511 km), with a travel time of about 06h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 241 miles (387.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 09m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Cresco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Cresco.
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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
103.6 mi · 1 hr 52 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
1 mi · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left
30.4 mi · 35 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 218, CR T44: Floyd
2362 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn left onto Monroe Street
11.4 mi · 16 min · Monroe Street
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12
Turn right onto State Highway 9
12.3 mi · 17 min · State Highway 9
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13
Continue on Highway 9
1.2 mi · 2 min · Highway 9
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14
Continue on West Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West Main Street
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15
Continue on State Highway 9
20.6 mi · 28 min · State Highway 9
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16
Continue on 2nd Avenue Southwest
1 mi · 2 min · 2nd Avenue Southwest
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17
Turn left onto 3rd Street Southwest
774 ft · 15 sec · 3rd Street Southwest
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18
Continue on 3rd Street West
3257 ft · 1 min · 3rd Street West
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19
Turn right onto 8th Avenue West
1678 ft · 1 min · 8th Avenue West
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue East
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Cresco.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Council Bluffs and Sunny near Cresco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Cresco?
The road trip is about 317.5 miles (511 km) and usually takes 06h 09m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Ames is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.6 miles from Council Bluffs and 158.9 miles from Cresco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 241 miles (387.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 76.5 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.24 one way or $84.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Council Bluffs and Sunny near Cresco.
Stop Ideas Near Ames
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 Ames.
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Cresco. Straight-line distance: 240.96 mi (387.78 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 Cresco
City in Iowa
| Population | 3,744 |
| Coordinates | 43.3813600, -92.1140500 |
| Altitude | 394 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cresco (-92.11405, 43.38136)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 511 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.24 | $84.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.63 | $95.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $52.12 | $104.25 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $59.40 | $118.81 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.