How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Monticello, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Monticello, IA is about 282.7 miles (454.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 250.2 miles (402.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 57m 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 28m.
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.
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 Monticello.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Monticello.
-
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
113.8 mi · 2 hr 2 min
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
-
7
Keep slight left
4.5 mi · 5 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
-
9
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
-
10
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
-
11
Take the exit right
2792 ft · 1 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
-
13
Continue on 73rd Street
26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.6 km · 2 min
-
15
Continue straight
9.4 mi · 11 min
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast
5.9 mi · 8 min · Collins Road Northeast
-
17
Turn left
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
18
Turn right onto Marion Airport Road
24.1 mi · 28 min · Marion Airport Road
-
19
Continue on 200th Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · 200th Avenue
-
20
Take the exit slight right
1764 ft · 49 sec
-
21
Turn left onto Amber Road
2018 ft · 40 sec · Amber Road
-
22
Continue on South Main Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
-
23
Turn left onto East 1st Street
846 ft · 16 sec · East 1st Street
-
24
Turn right onto North Maple Street
22 m · 3 sec · North Maple Street
-
25
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 Monticello.
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Monticello.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Monticello?
The road trip is about 282.7 miles (454.9 km) and usually takes 05h 28m 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 141.1 miles from Council Bluffs and 141.6 miles from Monticello.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 250.2 miles (402.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.5 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 6:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.60 one way or $75.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.6 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 Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Monticello.
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 Monticello. Straight-line distance: 250.15 mi (402.58 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 Monticello
City in Jones County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,873 |
| Coordinates | 42.2383400, -91.1870900 |
| Altitude | 251 |
| Country | United States |
End: Monticello (-91.18709, 42.23834)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 455 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.60 | $75.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.40 | $84.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.40 | $92.80 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.88 | $105.76 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.