How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Osage, IA?

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Osage, IA is about 276.3 miles (444.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 209.3 miles (336.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 28m 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
276.26 mi
05h 14m
Flight
209.34 mi
336.9 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
209.34 mi
Kilometers
336.9 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
276.26 mi
Kilometers
444.6 km
Drive Time
05h 14m

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 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Osage
Thu, Apr 23, 6:30 AM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Thu, Apr 23, 11:44 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-23T01:16
Arrive Osage
Thu, Apr 23, 6:30 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:14 AM to 1:14 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
6:32 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
Ankeny
IA

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

From Council Bluffs
138 mi
02h 37m
To Osage
138.3 mi
02h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 mph S
Destination
72°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 28 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Osage.

  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 right to continue on I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines

    103.6 mi · 1 hr 52 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City

    1 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    27.1 mi · 31 min

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Lancer Avenue

    9.9 mi · 17 min · Lancer Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on South 7th Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · South 7th Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Main Street

    12 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Kanesville Boulevard
118 mi · 43%
I 35 North
104 mi · 38%
US 18 East
28.1 mi · 10%
I 35
14.4 mi · 5%
Lancer Avenue
9.88 mi · 4%
South 7th Street
1 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
05h 14m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+67 mi
209.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ankeny
02h 37m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
6:32 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Osage.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Osage?

The road trip is about 276.3 miles (444.6 km) and usually takes 05h 14m 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?

Ankeny is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138 miles from Council Bluffs and 138.3 miles from Osage.

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

The direct path is about 209.3 miles (336.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 67 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 6:32 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.77 one way or $73.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Osage.

Stop Ideas Near Ankeny

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

78 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Creston

98 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Osage. Straight-line distance: 209.34 mi (336.9 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Osage

#2 Osage

City in Mitchell County, Iowa, United States

Population3,549
Coordinates43.2841400, -92.8110300
Altitude360
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Osage (-92.81103, 43.28414)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 445 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.75 gal
36.9 L · about $36.77
Round trip
$73.53
19.5 gal · 73.8 L
Estimated CO2
86.6 kg one way
Round trip: 173.3 kg / 382 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $36.77 $73.53
Mid-grade $4.25 $41.47 $82.93
Premium $4.65 $45.38 $90.75
Diesel $5.30 $51.71 $103.43

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Osage. The current time is 01:16:06.

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.