How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Decorah, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Decorah, IA is about 331 miles (532.7 km), with a travel time of about 06h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 251.5 miles (404.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 07m 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 33m.
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.
City in Story County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Decorah.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Decorah.
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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
32.9 mi · 38 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 Business, CR B35: Charles City
1513 ft · 43 sec
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11
Turn left onto 185th Street
1559 ft · 24 sec · 185th Street
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12
Turn straight onto Gilbert Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · Gilbert Street
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13
Turn left onto Main Street
1198 ft · 39 sec · Main Street
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14
Turn right onto Clark Street
1319 ft · 34 sec · Clark Street
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15
Turn left onto Brantingham Street
759 ft · 24 sec · Brantingham Street
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16
Continue on 4th Avenue
1 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue
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17
Continue on 5th Avenue
1761 ft · 50 sec · 5th Avenue
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18
Continue on 200th Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · 200th Avenue
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19
Continue on 200th Street
11 mi · 15 min · 200th Street
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20
Turn right onto Kenwood Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Kenwood Avenue
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto 210th Street
1801 ft · 36 sec · 210th Street
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22
Continue on West Main Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
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23
Continue on State Highway 24
20.3 mi · 28 min · State Highway 24
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24
Continue on 1st Street Southeast
1363 ft · 42 sec · 1st Street Southeast
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25
Continue on State Highway 24
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 24
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26
Continue on Highway 24
3252 ft · 50 sec · Highway 24
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27
Continue on State Highway 24
3237 ft · 52 sec · State Highway 24
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28
Continue on Charles Street
1751 ft · 40 sec · Charles Street
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29
Turn right onto South Street
1043 ft · 51 sec · South Street
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30
Turn left onto Maryville Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · Maryville Street
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31
Continue straight
7.8 mi · 11 min
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32
Turn right onto State Highway 9
2175 ft · 39 sec · State Highway 9
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33
Turn left onto Short Street
2219 ft · 1 min · Short Street
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34
Continue on South Mechanic Street
2540 ft · 1 min · South Mechanic Street
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35
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
1323 ft · 32 sec · West Broadway Street
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36
Turn left onto Washington Street
104 m · 17 sec · Washington Street
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37
Turn right onto East Main Street
18 m · 3 sec · East Main Street
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Decorah.
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 Mostly Sunny near Decorah.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Decorah?
The road trip is about 331 miles (532.7 km) and usually takes 06h 33m 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?
Gilbert is a useful midpoint, sitting about 165.3 miles from Council Bluffs and 165.7 miles from Decorah.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 251.5 miles (404.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 79.5 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 $44.05 one way or $88.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 103.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Council Bluffs and Mostly Sunny near Decorah.
Stop Ideas Near Gilbert
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 Gilbert.
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Decorah. Straight-line distance: 251.52 mi (404.78 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 Decorah
Town in Iowa
| Population | 7,484 |
| Coordinates | 43.3033100, -91.7857100 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| Country | United States |
End: Decorah (-91.78571, 43.30331)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 533 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $44.05 | $88.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $49.68 | $99.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $54.36 | $108.72 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $61.95 | $123.90 |
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 · Apr 27, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.