How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Denver, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Denver, IA is about 251.3 miles (404.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 205.5 miles (330.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 11m 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 05h 05m.
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Denver.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Denver.
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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
35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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11
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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12
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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13
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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14
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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15
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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16
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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17
Continue on County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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18
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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19
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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20
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2388 ft · 58 sec
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21
Merge slight left
11.2 mi · 13 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
2133 ft · 1 min
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23
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.6 km · 1 min · Grundy Road
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24
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Greenhill Road
2 m · 1 sec · Greenhill Road
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26
Exit the roundabout onto Greenhill Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Greenhill Road
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27
Turn left onto Avenue of the Saints
2.7 mi · 4 min · Avenue of the Saints
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28
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 South: Waterloo
1.4 km · 2 min
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29
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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30
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway Street: Airport
2340 ft · 1 min
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31
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
1496 ft · 36 sec · Airport Boulevard
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32
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway
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33
Turn left onto Logan Avenue
6.9 mi · 8 min · Logan Avenue
-
34
Continue on Larrabee Avenue
1.3 mi · 1 min · Larrabee Avenue
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35
Turn right onto State Street
1.2 km · 1 min · State Street
-
36
Turn left onto West Fayette Street
12 m · 1 sec · West Fayette Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Fayette Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Denver.
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Denver.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Denver?
The road trip is about 251.3 miles (404.5 km) and usually takes 05h 05m 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 125.5 miles from Council Bluffs and 125.8 miles from Denver.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 205.5 miles (330.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.8 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 6:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.45 one way or $66.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny around Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Denver.
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 Denver. Straight-line distance: 205.52 mi (330.75 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 Denver
City in Iowa, US
| Population | 1,879 |
| Coordinates | 42.6713700, -92.3374000 |
| Altitude | 289 |
| Country | United States |
End: Denver (-92.3374, 42.67137)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 404 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.45 | $66.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.72 | $75.45 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.28 | $82.56 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.05 | $94.09 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.