How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Ely, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Ely, IA is about 254.8 miles (410.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225 miles (362.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 31m 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 04h 45m.
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.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Ely.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Ely.
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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
101.4 mi · 1 hr 49 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
2413 ft · 59 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
1.3 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
13 mi · 14 min · Avenue of the Saints
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11
Take the exit slight right toward The Eastern Iowa Airport, Ely
1846 ft · 49 sec
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12
Turn right onto Wright Brothers Boulevard Southwest
3.6 mi · 6 min · Wright Brothers Boulevard Southwest
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13
Turn right onto Ely Road
1689 ft · 34 sec · Ely Road
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14
Continue on State Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Street
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15
Turn left onto Dows Street
642 ft · 18 sec · Dows Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dows Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Ely.
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.
Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Ely.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Ely?
The road trip is about 254.8 miles (410.1 km) and usually takes 04h 45m 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?
Johnston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.1 miles from Council Bluffs and 127.7 miles from Ely.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 225 miles (362.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.8 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 7:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.90 one way or $67.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Ely.
Stop Ideas Near Johnston
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 Johnston.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Ely. Straight-line distance: 225 mi (362.11 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 Ely
City in Linn County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 2,382 |
| Coordinates | 41.8736200, -91.5851800 |
| Altitude | 225 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ely (-91.58518, 41.87362)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 410 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.90 | $67.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.23 | $76.47 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.84 | $83.68 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.68 | $95.37 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.