How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Muscatine, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Muscatine, IA is about 282.7 miles (454.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 250.1 miles (402.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 36m 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 18m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Muscatine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Muscatine.
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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
133.7 mi · 2 hr 25 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, IA 38 South: Wilton, Muscatine
1254 ft · 31 sec
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9
Turn right onto Rose Avenue
2.6 mi · 4 min · Rose Avenue
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10
Continue on United States Highway 6
2583 ft · 44 sec · United States Highway 6
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11
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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12
Continue on State Highway 38
9.5 mi · 15 min · State Highway 38
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13
Continue on East 2nd Street
1 km · 1 min · East 2nd Street
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Mulberry Avenue
4 m · 1 sec · Mulberry Avenue
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Mulberry Avenue
108 m · 16 sec · Mulberry Avenue
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16
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
110 m · 18 sec · East 3rd Street
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17
Turn right onto Walnut Street
48 m · 5 sec · Walnut Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Muscatine.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 35
Keep slight left
134 mi · 02h 25m
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 Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Mostly Sunny near Muscatine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Muscatine?
The road trip is about 282.7 miles (454.9 km) and usually takes 05h 18m 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?
Altoona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141 miles from Council Bluffs and 141.6 miles from Muscatine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 250.1 miles (402.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.6 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 6:24 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 Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny around Council Bluffs and Mostly Sunny near Muscatine.
Stop Ideas Near Altoona
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 Altoona.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Muscatine. Straight-line distance: 250.13 mi (402.54 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 Muscatine
City in and county seat of Muscatine County, Iowa
| Population | 23,523 |
| Coordinates | 41.4244700, -91.0432100 |
| Altitude | 177 |
| Country | United States |
End: Muscatine (-91.04321, 41.42447)
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.