How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Mediapolis, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Mediapolis, IA is about 287.6 miles (462.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 245 miles (394.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 24m 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 42m.
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 Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Mediapolis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Mediapolis.
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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
1510 ft · 19 sec
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Kansas City
2130 ft · 52 sec · Ramp 72 H
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8
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 4 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk
1.3 km · 1 min
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10
Continue on Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.9 mi · 15 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
19 mi · 23 min
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12
Turn left
32.3 mi · 36 min
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13
Take the exit right
2173 ft · 53 sec
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14
Merge slight left
76.5 mi · 1 hr 28 min
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15
Take the exit slight right
2097 ft · 53 sec
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16
Turn right onto Old US Highway 218
2397 ft · 45 sec · Old US Highway 218
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17
Turn left onto Winfield Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Winfield Avenue
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18
Continue on 220th Street
7.4 mi · 13 min · 220th Street
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto Racine Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Racine Avenue
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20
Turn right onto 210th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 210th Street
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21
Continue on Mediapolis Road
10.6 mi · 19 min · Mediapolis Road
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22
Turn straight onto Main Street
1946 ft · 44 sec · Main Street
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23
Turn left onto North Orchard Street
22 m · 3 sec · North Orchard Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Orchard Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Mediapolis.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Council Bluffs and Rain Showers Likely near Mediapolis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Mediapolis?
The road trip is about 287.6 miles (462.9 km) and usually takes 05h 42m 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?
Hartford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.5 miles from Council Bluffs and 144.1 miles from Mediapolis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 245 miles (394.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.6 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 5:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.28 one way or $76.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Council Bluffs and Rain Showers Likely near Mediapolis.
Stop Ideas Near Hartford
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 Hartford.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Mediapolis. Straight-line distance: 245.01 mi (394.31 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 Mediapolis
City in Des Moines County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,514 |
| Coordinates | 41.0080900, -91.1640400 |
| Altitude | 235 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mediapolis (-91.16404, 41.00809)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 463 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.28 | $76.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.17 | $86.34 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.24 | $94.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.84 | $107.67 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.