How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Fort Madison, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Fort Madison, IA is about 305.2 miles (491.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 241.2 miles (388.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 46m 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 53m.
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 Marion County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Fort Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Fort Madison.
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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
1510 ft · 19 sec
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Kansas City
2130 ft · 52 sec · Ramp 72 H
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8
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 4 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk
1.3 km · 1 min
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10
Continue on Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.9 mi · 15 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
19 mi · 23 min
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12
Turn left
32.3 mi · 36 min
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13
Take the exit right
2173 ft · 53 sec
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14
Merge slight left
77.6 mi · 1 hr 30 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
24.6 mi · 28 min · Avenue of the Saints
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IA 2: Donnellson, Fort Madison
2195 ft · 59 sec
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17
Turn left onto State Highway 2
8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 2
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18
Continue on Avenue O
1.7 mi · 3 min · Avenue O
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19
Continue on Old Highway 61
1602 ft · 27 sec · Old Highway 61
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20
Continue on Avenue L
1.5 mi · 3 min · Avenue L
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21
Turn left onto 18th Street
1019 ft · 21 sec · 18th Street
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22
Turn right onto Avenue H
1.3 km · 1 min · Avenue H
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23
Turn right onto Avenue I
42 m · 12 sec · Avenue I
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24
Turn left
19 m · 4 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Fort Madison.
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.
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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Fort Madison?
The road trip is about 305.2 miles (491.1 km) and usually takes 05h 53m 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?
Pleasantville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152.3 miles from Council Bluffs and 152.9 miles from Fort Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 241.2 miles (388.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 64 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 5:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.61 one way or $81.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.7 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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Madison.
Stop Ideas Near Pleasantville
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 Pleasantville.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Fort Madison. Straight-line distance: 241.19 mi (388.16 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 Madison
City and county seat in Lee County, Iowa
| Population | 10,263 |
| Coordinates | 40.6297600, -91.3151500 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fort Madison (-91.31515, 40.62976)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 491 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.61 | $81.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.80 | $91.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.12 | $100.25 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.12 | $114.25 |
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.