How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Orange City, IA?

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Orange City, IA is about 136 miles (218.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 121 miles (194.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
136.04 mi
02h 37m
Flight
121.01 mi
194.75 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Council Bluffs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
121.01 mi
Kilometers
194.75 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
136.04 mi
Kilometers
218.93 km
Drive Time
02h 37m

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 02h 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Orange City
Mon, May 25, 11:45 AM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Mon, May 25, 2:22 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-05-25T09:07
Arrive Orange City
Mon, May 25, 11:45 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:37 AM to 12:37 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Council Bluffs
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Whiting
IA

City in Monona County, Iowa, United States

From Council Bluffs
68 mi
01h 18m
To Orange City
68 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Memorial Day

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 13 mph S
Destination
87°F
Memorial Day

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Orange City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Orange City.

  1. 1

    Start on West Broadway

    1850 ft · 49 sec · West Broadway

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North 16th Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North 16th Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp straight

    2564 ft · 1 min

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    87.1 mi · 1 hr 34 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East, US 75 North: Fort Dodge, Le Mars

    1.2 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    30.1 mi · 36 min

  7. 7

    Continue on IA 60 North: Sheldon

    10.4 mi · 12 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto County Road K64

    3.7 mi · 5 min · County Road K64

  9. 9

    Continue on Albany Place

    2626 ft · 52 sec · Albany Place

  10. 10

    Continue on Albany Avenue

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Albany Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 2nd Street Northeast

    131 m · 21 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northwest

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Orange City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North 16th Street
88.9 mi · 65%
US 20 East
30.8 mi · 23%
IA 60 North
10.4 mi · 8%
County Road K64
3.71 mi · 3%
Albany Avenue
1.23 mi · 1%
Albany Place
0.5 mi
Longest Stretch

North 16th Street

Merge slight left

87.1 mi · 01h 34m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15 mi
121 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Whiting
01h 18m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
1:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Mostly Sunny near Orange City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Orange City?

The road trip is about 136 miles (218.9 km) and usually takes 02h 37m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Whiting is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68 miles from Council Bluffs and 68 miles from Orange City.

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

The direct path is about 121 miles (194.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.10 one way or $36.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Council Bluffs and Mostly Sunny near Orange City.

Stop Ideas Near Whiting

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Whiting, 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 Whiting.

RAIL

Omaha

99 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Orange City. Straight-line distance: 121.01 mi (194.75 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Orange City

#2 Orange City

City in Western Iowa

Population6,182
Coordinates43.0072100, -96.0583500
Altitude440
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Orange City (-96.05835, 43.00721)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 219 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.8 gal
18.17 L · about $18.10
Round trip
$36.20
9.6 gal · 36.34 L
Estimated CO2
42.7 kg one way
Round trip: 85.3 kg / 188 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.10 $36.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.41 $40.83
Premium $4.65 $22.34 $44.68
Diesel $5.30 $25.46 $50.92

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Orange City. The current time is 09:07:43.

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.