How far is Council Bluffs, IA from North Liberty, IA?

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to North Liberty, IA is about 242.3 miles (389.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 223.1 miles (359.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
242.25 mi
04h 31m
Flight
223.1 mi
359.05 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Council Bluffs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
223.1 mi
Kilometers
359.05 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
242.25 mi
Kilometers
389.86 km
Drive Time
04h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Liberty
Sun, Apr 19, 3:13 PM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Sun, Apr 19, 7:44 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-19T10:42
Arrive North Liberty
Sun, Apr 19, 3:13 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:31 AM to 12:31 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:58 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Council Bluffs
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Clive
IA

Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America

From Council Bluffs
120.9 mi
02h 15m
To North Liberty
121.4 mi
02h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph W
Destination
55°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and North Liberty.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and North Liberty.

  1. 1

    Start on West Broadway

    1850 ft · 1 min · West Broadway

  2. 2

    Continue on West Broadway

    3251 ft · 1 min · West Broadway

  3. 3

    Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard

    4.2 mi · 8 min · West Kanesville Boulevard

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left

    1399 ft · 34 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    113.8 mi · 2 hr 2 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

    14.4 mi · 17 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    101.4 mi · 1 hr 49 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

    2413 ft · 59 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

    1.3 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    3.3 mi · 4 min · Avenue of the Saints

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward CR F28: North Liberty

    1861 ft · 49 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West Penn Street

    2 mi · 4 min · West Penn Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1262 ft · 45 sec · North Dubuque Street

  14. 14

    Continue on North Dubuque Street

    48 m · 5 sec · North Dubuque Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Dubuque Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and North Liberty.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
15 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Kanesville Boulevard
118 mi · 49%
I 35
116 mi · 48%
Avenue of the Saints
3.27 mi · 1%
West Penn Street
2.02 mi · 1%
I 380
1.29 mi · 1%
West Broadway
0.97 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 31m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.2 mi
223.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clive
02h 15m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
7:58 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Sunny near North Liberty.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to North Liberty?

The road trip is about 242.3 miles (389.9 km) and usually takes 04h 31m 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?

Clive is a useful midpoint, sitting about 120.9 miles from Council Bluffs and 121.4 miles from North Liberty.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 223.1 miles (359.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.2 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 7:58 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.24 one way or $64.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Council Bluffs and Sunny near North Liberty.

Stop Ideas Near Clive

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Clive, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clive.

RAIL

Osceola

63 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Creston

81 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and North Liberty. Straight-line distance: 223.1 mi (359.05 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
North Liberty

#2 North Liberty

City in Johnson County, Iowa, United States of America

Population19,736
Coordinates41.7491800, -91.5979500
Altitude238
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: North Liberty (-91.59795, 41.74918)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 390 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.55 gal
32.36 L · about $32.24
Round trip
$64.48
17.1 gal · 64.72 L
Estimated CO2
76 kg one way
Round trip: 152 kg / 335 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $32.24 $64.48
Mid-grade $4.25 $36.36 $72.73
Premium $4.65 $39.79 $79.58
Diesel $5.30 $45.35 $90.70

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

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and North Liberty. The current time is 10:42:06.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.