How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Kalona, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Kalona, IA is about 247.2 miles (397.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 215.9 miles (347.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 29m 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 04h 44m.
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.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Kalona.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Kalona.
-
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
14.4 mi · 17 min
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7
Keep slight left
93.4 mi · 1 hr 41 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CR W38: Oxford, Kalona Village Museum
1093 ft · 32 sec
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9
Turn left onto Black Hawk Avenue Southwest
2.9 mi · 5 min · Black Hawk Avenue Southwest
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Black Hawk Avenue Southwest
2.9 mi · 5 min · Black Hawk Avenue Southwest
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto Black Diamond Road Southwest
3.3 mi · 6 min · Black Diamond Road Southwest
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12
Turn right onto Orval Yoder Turnpike Southwest
2.8 mi · 5 min · Orval Yoder Turnpike Southwest
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto 500th Street Southwest
1.8 mi · 3 min · 500th Street Southwest
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14
Turn right onto Highway 1 Southwest
4 mi · 5 min · Highway 1 Southwest
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15
Continue on State Highway 1
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 1
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16
Continue on 1st Street
1 km · 58 sec · 1st Street
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17
Turn left onto East Avenue
2300 ft · 41 sec · East Avenue
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18
Turn right onto 5th Street
1014 ft · 50 sec · 5th Street
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19
Turn left onto B Avenue
11 m · 2 sec · B Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · B Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Kalona.
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
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 Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Kalona.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Kalona?
The road trip is about 247.2 miles (397.9 km) and usually takes 04h 44m 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?
Grimes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.3 miles from Council Bluffs and 123.9 miles from Kalona.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 215.9 miles (347.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.3 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 7:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.92 one way or $65.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.6 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 Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Kalona.
Stop Ideas Near Grimes
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 Grimes.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Kalona. Straight-line distance: 215.95 mi (347.53 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 Kalona
Town in the U.
| Population | 2,560 |
| Coordinates | 41.4830700, -91.7060000 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kalona (-91.706, 41.48307)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 398 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.92 | $65.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.13 | $74.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.63 | $81.26 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.30 | $92.61 |
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.