How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Hawarden, IA?

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Hawarden, IA is about 133.4 miles (214.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 124 miles (199.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
133.4 mi
02h 40m
Flight
124 mi
199.56 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Council Bluffs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
124 mi
Kilometers
199.56 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
133.4 mi
Kilometers
214.69 km
Drive Time
02h 40m

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 02h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hawarden
Fri, Apr 17, 11:08 AM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Fri, Apr 17, 1:49 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-17T08:27
Arrive Hawarden
Fri, Apr 17, 11:08 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:41 AM to 12:41 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:08 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Council Bluffs
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Whiting
IA

City in Monona County, Iowa, United States

From Council Bluffs
66.7 mi
01h 20m
To Hawarden
66.7 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph WSW
Destination
67°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Hawarden.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Hawarden.

  1. 1

    Start on West Broadway

    1850 ft · 49 sec · West Broadway

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North 16th Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North 16th Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp straight

    2564 ft · 1 min

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    94 mi · 1 hr 42 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 12 North: Riverside Boulevard

    1588 ft · 39 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Riverside Boulevard

    2 mi · 4 min · Riverside Boulevard

  7. 7

    Continue on Sioux River Road

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Sioux River Road

  8. 8

    Continue on State Highway 12

    5.4 mi · 7 min · State Highway 12

  9. 9

    Turn right onto K18N

    19.9 mi · 27 min · K18N

  10. 10

    Continue on Buchanan Avenue

    6 mi · 9 min · Buchanan Avenue

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 10

    98 m · 6 sec · State Highway 10

  12. 12

    Continue on 10th Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · 10th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    105 m · 15 sec · Central Avenue

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Hawarden.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North 16th Street
95.8 mi · 72%
K18N
19.9 mi · 15%
Buchanan Avenue
6.04 mi · 5%
State Highway 12
5.35 mi · 4%
Sioux River Road
2.81 mi · 2%
Riverside Boulevard
2.03 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

North 16th Street

Merge slight left

94 mi · 01h 42m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.4 mi
124 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Whiting
01h 20m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
1:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Hawarden.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Hawarden?

The road trip is about 133.4 miles (214.7 km) and usually takes 02h 40m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Whiting is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.7 miles from Council Bluffs and 66.7 miles from Hawarden.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 124 miles (199.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.76 one way or $35.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Hawarden.

Stop Ideas Near Whiting

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Whiting, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Whiting.

RAIL

Omaha

99 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Hawarden. Straight-line distance: 124 mi (199.56 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Hawarden

#2 Hawarden

City in Sioux County, Iowa, United States

Population2,443
Coordinates42.9958200, -96.4853100
Altitude360
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Hawarden (-96.48531, 42.99582)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 215 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.71 gal
17.82 L · about $17.76
Round trip
$35.52
9.42 gal · 35.64 L
Estimated CO2
41.9 kg one way
Round trip: 83.7 kg / 185 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.76 $35.52
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.03 $40.06
Premium $4.65 $21.92 $43.84
Diesel $5.30 $24.98 $49.96

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Hawarden. The current time is 08:27:57.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.