How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Ida Grove, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Ida Grove, IA is about 91.7 miles (147.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77.5 miles (124.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 09m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Small city in Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Ida Grove.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Ida Grove.
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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
6.4 mi · 9 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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19
Continue on 220th Street
17 mi · 24 min · 220th Street
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20
Turn left
2 mi · 3 min
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21
Turn left onto Moorehead Avenue
2150 ft · 45 sec · Moorehead Avenue
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22
Turn right onto 2nd Street
34 m · 2 sec · 2nd Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Ida Grove.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
County Road F50
Continue on County Road F50
17.4 mi · 00h 24m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Mostly Sunny near Ida Grove.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Ida Grove?
The road trip is about 91.7 miles (147.5 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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?
Dunlap is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.9 miles from Council Bluffs and 45.8 miles from Ida Grove.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 77.5 miles (124.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.2 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 2:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.18 one way or $24.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Council Bluffs and Mostly Sunny near Ida Grove.
Stop Ideas Near Dunlap
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 Dunlap.
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Ida Grove. Straight-line distance: 77.47 mi (124.67 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 Ida Grove
City in Ida County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 2,037 |
| Coordinates | 42.3449900, -95.4716700 |
| Altitude | 376 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ida Grove (-95.47167, 42.34499)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 148 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.18 | $24.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.74 | $27.47 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $15.03 | $30.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $17.13 | $34.26 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.