How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Jefferson, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Jefferson, IA is about 123.5 miles (198.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 92.6 miles (149 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m 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 35m.
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.
Human settlement in Audubon County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Jefferson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Jefferson.
-
1
Start on West Broadway
1850 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
-
2
Continue on West Broadway
3251 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
-
3
Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard
4.2 mi · 8 min · West Kanesville Boulevard
-
4
Take the ramp slight left
1399 ft · 34 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
73.7 mi · 1 hr 19 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward CR N77: Casey
1304 ft · 33 sec
-
7
Turn left
35 m · 5 sec
-
8
Turn left onto Antique Country Drive
1.1 km · 1 min · Antique Country Drive
-
9
Turn right onto East Sherman Street
1448 ft · 29 sec · East Sherman Street
-
10
Continue on County Road F65
1.6 mi · 3 min · County Road F65
-
11
Turn left onto Nice Avenue
98 m · 6 sec · Nice Avenue
-
12
Continue on State Highway 25
10.8 mi · 16 min · State Highway 25
-
13
Continue on South 5th Street
1801 ft · 33 sec · South 5th Street
-
14
Turn right onto State Street
6.9 mi · 10 min · State Street
-
15
Continue on West Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · West Main Street
-
16
Turn left onto Northeast 3rd Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Northeast 3rd Street
-
17
Continue on State Highway 4
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Highway 4
-
18
Turn straight onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
2276 ft · 36 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
-
19
Turn right onto State Highway 4
1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 4
-
20
Continue on Neola Avenue
8.5 mi · 12 min · Neola Avenue
-
21
Continue on South Elm Street
1927 ft · 30 sec · South Elm Street
-
22
Continue on N Avenue
1.1 km · 55 sec · N Avenue
-
23
Continue on South Elm Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Elm Street
-
24
Turn left onto West Lincolnway Street
7 m · 1 sec · West Lincolnway Street
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Lincolnway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Jefferson.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
West Kanesville Boulevard
Merge slight left
73.7 mi · 01h 19m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Council Bluffs and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Jefferson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Jefferson?
The road trip is about 123.5 miles (198.8 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?
Brayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.7 miles from Council Bluffs and 61.8 miles from Jefferson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 92.6 miles (149 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.9 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 1:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.44 one way or $32.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Council Bluffs and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Jefferson.
Stop Ideas Near Brayton
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 Brayton.
Creston
Omaha
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Jefferson. Straight-line distance: 92.6 mi (149.03 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 Jefferson
City in Greene County, Iowa
| Population | 4,075 |
| Coordinates | 42.0152600, -94.3774700 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jefferson (-94.37747, 42.01526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 199 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.44 | $32.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.54 | $37.09 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.29 | $40.58 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.13 | $46.25 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.