How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Le Claire, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Le Claire, IA is about 304.8 miles (490.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 286.7 miles (461.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 17m 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 05h 38m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Jasper County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Le Claire.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Le Claire.
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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
168.8 mi · 3 hr 4 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 67: LeClaire, Bettendorf
2799 ft · 55 sec
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9
Turn left onto South Cody Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · South Cody Road
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10
Turn right onto Jones Street
14 m · 2 sec · Jones Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Jones Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Le Claire.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 35
Keep slight left
169 mi · 03h 04m
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 Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Le Claire.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Le Claire?
The road trip is about 304.8 miles (490.6 km) and usually takes 05h 38m 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?
Colfax is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152 miles from Council Bluffs and 152.8 miles from Le Claire.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 286.7 miles (461.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 5:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.58 one way or $81.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny around Council Bluffs and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Le Claire.
Stop Ideas Near Colfax
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 Colfax.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Le Claire. Straight-line distance: 286.71 mi (461.42 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 Le Claire
City in Scott County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 3,955 |
| Coordinates | 41.5986400, -90.3434600 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: Le Claire (-90.34346, 41.59864)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 491 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.58 | $81.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.76 | $91.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.08 | $100.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.07 | $114.14 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.