How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Manchester, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Manchester, IA is about 285.8 miles (459.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 241.8 miles (389.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 20m 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 40m.
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 Polk County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Manchester.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Manchester.
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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
4.5 mi · 5 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
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9
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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10
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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11
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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12
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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13
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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14
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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15
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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16
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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17
Continue on County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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18
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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19
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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20
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2388 ft · 58 sec
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21
Merge slight left
29.1 mi · 34 min
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22
Keep slight left
36.6 mi · 42 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right
1887 ft · 53 sec
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24
Turn left onto State Highway 13
1.4 mi · 2 min · State Highway 13
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25
Turn right onto West Main Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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26
Turn left onto North Tama Street
18 m · 3 sec · North Tama Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Tama Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Manchester.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Council Bluffs and Partly Cloudy near Manchester.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Manchester?
The road trip is about 285.8 miles (459.9 km) and usually takes 05h 40m 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?
Bondurant is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142.6 miles from Council Bluffs and 143.1 miles from Manchester.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 241.8 miles (389.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 44 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 5:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.01 one way or $76.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Council Bluffs and Partly Cloudy near Manchester.
Stop Ideas Near Bondurant
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 Bondurant.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Manchester. Straight-line distance: 241.84 mi (389.2 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 Manchester
City in Delaware County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,004 |
| Coordinates | 42.4841500, -91.4554300 |
| Altitude | 287 |
| Country | United States |
End: Manchester (-91.45543, 42.48415)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 460 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.01 | $76.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.87 | $85.74 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.91 | $93.82 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.46 | $106.93 |
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.