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

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Osceola, IA is about 159 miles (255.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 110.2 miles (177.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 57m 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
159.02 mi
02h 58m
Flight
110.14 mi
177.26 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
110.14 mi
Kilometers
177.26 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
159.02 mi
Kilometers
255.91 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Osceola
Wed, Apr 29, 9:06 PM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Thu, Apr 30, 12:04 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-29T18:07
Arrive Osceola
Wed, Apr 29, 9:06 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:59 AM to 12:59 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:32 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

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
Casey
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Council Bluffs
79.4 mi
01h 29m
To Osceola
79.6 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
40°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NNW
Destination
42°F
Overnight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1510 ft · 19 sec

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Kansas City

    2130 ft · 52 sec · Ramp 72 H

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    35.7 mi · 39 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward CR R35

    1223 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto County Road R35

    1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road R35

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    1.8 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Kanesville Boulevard
118 mi · 74%
Ramp 72 H
18.1 mi · 11%
I 35 South
18.1 mi · 11%
North Main Street
1.78 mi · 1%
County Road R35
1.4 mi · 1%
West Broadway
0.97 mi · 1%
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 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 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+48.8 mi
110.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Casey
01h 29m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
12:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Council Bluffs and Mostly Cloudy near Osceola.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 159 miles (255.9 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?

Casey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.4 miles from Council Bluffs and 79.6 miles from Osceola.

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

The direct path is about 110.2 miles (177.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.8 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 12:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.16 one way or $42.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Council Bluffs and Mostly Cloudy near Osceola.

Stop Ideas Near Casey

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

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

RAIL

Creston

52 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Osceola

82 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Osceola. Straight-line distance: 110.14 mi (177.26 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

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

#2 Osceola

City in Clarke County, Iowa, United States

Population5,285
Coordinates41.0338900, -93.7655000
Altitude348
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Osceola (-93.7655, 41.03389)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 256 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.61 gal
21.24 L · about $21.16
Round trip
$42.31
11.22 gal · 42.48 L
Estimated CO2
49.9 kg one way
Round trip: 99.7 kg / 220 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.16 $42.31
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.86 $47.72
Premium $4.65 $26.11 $52.22
Diesel $5.30 $29.76 $59.51

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 29, 2026

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Osceola. The current time is 18:07:27.

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.