How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Emmetsburg, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Emmetsburg, IA is about 178 miles (286.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141.4 miles (227.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 09m 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 04m.
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 Sac County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Emmetsburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Emmetsburg.
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1
Start on West Broadway
1850 ft · 49 sec · West Broadway
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2
Turn right onto North 16th Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North 16th Street
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3
Take the ramp straight
2564 ft · 1 min
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4
Merge slight left
14.9 mi · 16 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Loveland
1934 ft · 1 min
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6
Turn left onto Desoto Avenue
1522 ft · 51 sec · Desoto Avenue
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Old Lincoln Highway
2978 ft · 46 sec · Old Lincoln Highway
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8
Continue on Loess Hills Trail
3.1 mi · 4 min · Loess Hills Trail
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9
Continue on South 6th Street
2367 ft · 1 min · South 6th Street
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10
Turn right onto East Erie Street
1812 ft · 1 min · East Erie Street
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11
Continue on Lincoln Highway
7.5 mi · 11 min · Lincoln Highway
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12
Continue on South Maple Avenue
1688 ft · 43 sec · South Maple Avenue
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13
Turn right onto West 7th Street
1908 ft · 1 min · West 7th Street
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14
Continue on County Road F50
17.4 mi · 24 min · County Road F50
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15
Continue on South 3rd Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South 3rd Street
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16
Continue on South 6th Street
16.5 mi · 24 min · South 6th Street
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17
Turn straight onto 260th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · 260th Street
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18
Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
1656 ft · 28 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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19
Turn right onto State Highway 39
17.1 mi · 24 min · State Highway 39
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20
Continue on 400th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 400th Street
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21
Continue on Fox Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Fox Avenue
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22
Continue on South Des Moines Street
2648 ft · 1 min · South Des Moines Street
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23
Continue on Fox Avenue
11.3 mi · 16 min · Fox Avenue
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24
Turn right onto 220th Street
29.7 mi · 34 min · 220th Street
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25
Take the exit slight right toward IA 4: Rockwell City, Pocahontas
1803 ft · 58 sec
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26
Turn left onto Marshall Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Marshall Avenue
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27
Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Marshall Avenue
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28
Continue on Marengo Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue
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29
Continue on South East Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South East Street
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30
Continue on Marengo Avenue
2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue
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31
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue
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32
Continue on Southwest 7th Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Southwest 7th Street
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33
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.1 mi · 15 min · 220th Avenue
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34
Continue on 460th Avenue
13 mi · 18 min · 460th Avenue
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35
Continue on Broadway Street
1.6 km · 3 min · Broadway Street
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36
Turn left onto Main Street
1026 ft · 39 sec · Main Street
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37
Turn right onto Lawler Street
101 m · 12 sec · Lawler Street
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38
Turn left onto 8th Street
27 m · 4 sec · 8th Street
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 8th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Emmetsburg.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
220th Street
Turn right onto 220th Street
29.7 mi · 00h 34m
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 And Snow Showers near Emmetsburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Emmetsburg?
The road trip is about 178 miles (286.5 km) and usually takes 04h 04m 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?
Odebolt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89 miles from Council Bluffs and 89 miles from Emmetsburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141.4 miles (227.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.6 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 8:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.68 one way or $47.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.8 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 And Snow Showers near Emmetsburg.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Emmetsburg. Straight-line distance: 141.37 mi (227.52 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 Emmetsburg
City in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,667 |
| Coordinates | 43.1127400, -94.6830400 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| Country | United States |
End: Emmetsburg (-94.68304, 43.11274)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 286 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.68 | $47.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.71 | $53.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.23 | $58.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.31 | $66.62 |
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.