How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Lenox, IA?

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Lenox, IA is about 91.3 miles (146.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.6 miles (116.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
91.25 mi
02h 16m
Flight
72.58 mi
116.81 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Council Bluffs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
72.58 mi
Kilometers
116.81 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
91.25 mi
Kilometers
146.85 km
Drive Time
02h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lenox
Sat, Apr 18, 6:24 AM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Sat, Apr 18, 8:41 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-18T04:08
Arrive Lenox
Sat, Apr 18, 6:24 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:17 AM to 12:17 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:56 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Council Bluffs
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Red Oak
IA

City in and county seat of Montgomery County, Iowa, United States

From Council Bluffs
45.5 mi
01h 08m
To Lenox
45.7 mi
01h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 15 mph NW
Destination
53°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Lenox.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Lenox.

  1. 1

    Start on West Broadway

    1850 ft · 53 sec · West Broadway

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South 16th Street

    1732 ft · 59 sec · South 16th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 5th Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · 5th Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South 7th Street

    142 m · 16 sec · South 7th Street

  5. 5

    Turn slight left onto South Expressway

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Expressway

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 29 South, I 80 East: Des Moines, Kansas City

    2672 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 29 South: Kansas City

    2835 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    12.3 mi · 13 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 34, US 275 South: South Bellevue, Glenwood

    1809 ft · 44 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    1.2 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto US Highway 34

    66.8 mi · 1 hr 39 min · US Highway 34

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Sycamore Avenue

    5.5 mi · 10 min · Sycamore Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on North Brooks Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Brooks Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto West Temple Street

    944 ft · 47 sec · West Temple Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Maple Street

    9 m · 1 sec · North Maple Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Maple Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Lenox.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US Highway 34
66.8 mi · 73%
I 29 South
13.4 mi · 15%
Sycamore Avenue
5.48 mi · 6%
South Expressway
1.71 mi · 2%
North Brooks Street
1.23 mi · 1%
US 34
1.08 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 34

Merge slight left onto US Highway 34

66.8 mi · 01h 39m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.7 mi
72.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Red Oak
01h 08m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
1:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Lenox.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Lenox?

The road trip is about 91.3 miles (146.9 km) and usually takes 02h 16m 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?

Red Oak is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.5 miles from Council Bluffs and 45.7 miles from Lenox.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 72.6 miles (116.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 1:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.14 one way or $24.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.6 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 Lenox.

Stop Ideas Near Red Oak

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Red Oak, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Red Oak.

RAIL

Omaha

65 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Creston

73 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Lenox. Straight-line distance: 72.58 mi (116.81 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Lenox

Human settlement in Taylor County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,386
Coordinates40.8816500, -94.5619100
Altitude395
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Lenox (-94.56191, 40.88165)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 147 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 16m
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.

One-way fuel
3.22 gal
12.19 L · about $12.14
Round trip
$24.29
6.44 gal · 24.38 L
Estimated CO2
28.6 kg one way
Round trip: 57.2 kg / 126 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.14 $24.29
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.69 $27.39
Premium $4.65 $14.99 $29.97
Diesel $5.30 $17.08 $34.16

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

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Lenox. The current time is 04:08:07.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.