How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Elkader, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Elkader, IA is about 310.7 miles (500.1 km), with a travel time of about 06h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 253.6 miles (408.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 32m 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 16m.
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.
Human settlement in Jasper County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Elkader.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Elkader.
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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
29.1 mi · 34 min
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22
Keep slight left
28.1 mi · 32 min
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23
Take the exit slight right
2049 ft · 57 sec
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24
Turn left onto Washburn Avenue
12.5 mi · 17 min · Washburn Avenue
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25
Continue on C Avenue
3 mi · 4 min · C Avenue
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26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 40th Street
6 m · 1 sec · 40th Street
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27
Exit the roundabout onto 40th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 40th Street
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28
Continue on State Highway 3
2.9 mi · 4 min · State Highway 3
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29
Continue on West Mission Street
1.3 km · 1 min · West Mission Street
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30
Turn left onto Elkader Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Elkader Street
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31
Continue on State Highway 13
13.1 mi · 18 min · State Highway 13
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32
Turn left onto Strawberry Point Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Strawberry Point Road
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33
Continue on South 1st Street
1177 ft · 20 sec · South 1st Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Elkader.
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.
Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Sunny near Elkader.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Elkader?
The road trip is about 310.7 miles (500.1 km) and usually takes 06h 16m 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?
Mingo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.2 miles from Council Bluffs and 155.6 miles from Elkader.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 253.6 miles (408.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.1 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 $41.37 one way or $82.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Council Bluffs and Sunny near Elkader.
Stop Ideas Near Mingo
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 Mingo.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Elkader. Straight-line distance: 253.61 mi (408.14 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 |
End: Elkader (-91.40542, 42.85387)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 500 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.37 | $82.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.66 | $93.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $51.05 | $102.11 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $58.18 | $116.37 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.