How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Mount Vernon, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Mount Vernon, IA is about 261.5 miles (420.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 234.1 miles (376.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 51m 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 04h 55m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Mount Vernon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Mount Vernon.
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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
109 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IA 1: Mount Vernon
1545 ft · 40 sec
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9
Turn left onto North Dodge Street
1.1 km · 1 min · North Dodge Street
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10
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
7.5 mi · 10 min · Highway 1 Northeast
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11
Continue on South Market Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South Market Street
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12
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
3.2 mi · 4 min · Highway 1 Northeast
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13
Continue on State Highway 1
5.3 mi · 7 min · State Highway 1
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 1
40 m · 6 sec · State Highway 1
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15
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 1
666 ft · 19 sec · State Highway 1
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16
Continue on 1st Avenue South
2046 ft · 39 sec · 1st Avenue South
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17
Turn right onto 1st Street East
70 m · 9 sec · 1st Street East
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18
Turn right
20 m · 6 sec
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19
Turn right
23 m · 6 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Mount Vernon.
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.
Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Sunny near Mount Vernon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Mount Vernon?
The road trip is about 261.5 miles (420.9 km) and usually takes 04h 55m 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?
Saylorville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.5 miles from Council Bluffs and 131 miles from Mount Vernon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 234.1 miles (376.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.4 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 7:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.81 one way or $69.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Council Bluffs and Sunny near Mount Vernon.
Stop Ideas Near Saylorville
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 Saylorville.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Mount Vernon. Straight-line distance: 234.1 mi (376.74 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 Mount Vernon
City in Linn County, Iowa
| Population | 4,528 |
| Coordinates | 41.9219500, -91.4168400 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mount Vernon (-91.41684, 41.92195)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 421 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.81 | $69.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.26 | $78.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.96 | $85.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.96 | $97.91 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.