How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Lake City, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Lake City, IA is about 121.5 miles (195.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 90.5 miles (145.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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 39m.
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Lake City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Lake City.
-
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
51.4 mi · 55 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
1788 ft · 46 sec
-
7
Turn left onto 650th Street
3235 ft · 56 sec · 650th Street
-
8
Continue on Highway 71
2.5 mi · 3 min · Highway 71
-
9
Continue on Lincoln Street
1 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Street
-
10
Continue on Highway 71
11.7 mi · 16 min · Highway 71
-
11
Continue on South Market Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Market Street
-
12
Continue on County Road F32
12.1 mi · 17 min · County Road F32
-
13
Turn right onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
3 mi · 4 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
-
14
Turn left
24 mi · 34 min
-
15
At the end of the road, turn right onto 370th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 370th Street
-
16
Continue on 365th Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · 365th Street
-
17
Continue on State Highway 175
2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 175
-
18
Continue on State Highway 175
1.4 km · 1 min · State Highway 175
-
19
Continue on West Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · West Main Street
-
20
Turn left onto North Center Street
14 m · 2 sec · North Center Street
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Center Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Lake City.
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
51.4 mi · 00h 55m
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Lake City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Lake City?
The road trip is about 121.5 miles (195.5 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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 60.7 miles from Council Bluffs and 60.8 miles from Lake City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 90.5 miles (145.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 31 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 1:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.18 one way or $32.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.1 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 Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Lake City.
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 Lake City. Straight-line distance: 90.55 mi (145.73 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 Lake City
City in Iowa, USA
| Population | 1,642 |
| Coordinates | 42.2674800, -94.7338700 |
| Altitude | 378 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake City (-94.73387, 42.26748)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 196 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.18 | $32.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.25 | $36.49 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $19.97 | $39.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.75 | $45.51 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.