How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Fort Dodge, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Fort Dodge, IA is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.9 miles (196.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 08m 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 03h 34m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Crawford County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Fort Dodge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Fort Dodge.
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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
49.3 mi · 57 min · 220th Street
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25
Take the exit slight right
1958 ft · 1 min
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26
Turn left
1748 ft · 37 sec
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27
Continue on 230th Street
4.4 mi · 6 min · 230th Street
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28
Continue on Kenyon Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Kenyon Road
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29
Continue on 5th Avenue South
1.1 km · 2 min · 5th Avenue South
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30
Turn right onto South 21st Street
676 ft · 19 sec · South 21st Street
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31
Continue on South 22nd Street
904 ft · 33 sec · South 22nd Street
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32
Turn right onto 8th Avenue South
8 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue South
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Fort Dodge.
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
49.3 mi · 00h 57m
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 Sunny near Fort Dodge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Fort Dodge?
The road trip is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km) and usually takes 03h 34m 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?
Kiron is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.5 miles from Council Bluffs and 79.7 miles from Fort Dodge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.9 miles (196.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.3 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 9:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.19 one way or $42.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Council Bluffs and Sunny near Fort Dodge.
Stop Ideas Near Kiron
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 Kiron.
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 121.94 mi (196.25 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 Fort Dodge
City in Iowa
| Population | 23,906 |
| Coordinates | 42.4974700, -94.1680200 |
| Altitude | 340 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fort Dodge (-94.16802, 42.49747)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 256 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.19 | $42.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.90 | $47.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.16 | $52.31 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.81 | $59.62 |
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 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.