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

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Pocahontas, IA is about 152.2 miles (245 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 118.8 miles (191.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 55m 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
152.27 mi
03h 27m
Flight
118.79 mi
191.17 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
118.79 mi
Kilometers
191.17 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
152.27 mi
Kilometers
245.05 km
Drive Time
03h 27m

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 03h 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pocahontas
Sun, May 31, 10:31 AM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Sun, May 31, 1:59 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-05-31T07:03
Arrive Pocahontas
Sun, May 31, 10:31 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:28 AM to 11:28 AM CDT

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

Leave by
10:04 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

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
Kiron
IA

Human settlement in Crawford County, Iowa, United States of America

From Council Bluffs
76.1 mi
01h 43m
To Pocahontas
76.2 mi
01h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph SE
Destination
80°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 16 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    14.9 mi · 16 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward Loveland

    1934 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Desoto Avenue

    1522 ft · 48 sec · Desoto Avenue

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Old Lincoln Highway

    2978 ft · 46 sec · Old Lincoln Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Loess Hills Trail

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Loess Hills Trail

  9. 9

    Continue on South 6th Street

    2367 ft · 1 min · South 6th Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto East Erie Street

    1812 ft · 1 min · East Erie Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    7.5 mi · 11 min · Lincoln Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on South Maple Avenue

    1688 ft · 43 sec · South Maple Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West 7th Street

    1908 ft · 1 min · West 7th Street

  14. 14

    Continue on County Road F50

    17.4 mi · 24 min · County Road F50

  15. 15

    Continue on South 3rd Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South 3rd Street

  16. 16

    Continue on South 6th Street

    16.5 mi · 24 min · South 6th Street

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto 260th Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · 260th Street

  18. 18

    Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

    1656 ft · 28 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

  19. 19

    Turn right onto State Highway 39

    17.1 mi · 24 min · State Highway 39

  20. 20

    Continue on 400th Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · 400th Street

  21. 21

    Continue on Fox Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Fox Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on South Des Moines Street

    2648 ft · 1 min · South Des Moines Street

  23. 23

    Continue on Fox Avenue

    11.3 mi · 16 min · Fox Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn right onto 220th Street

    29.7 mi · 34 min · 220th Street

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 4: Rockwell City, Pocahontas

    1803 ft · 56 sec

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Marshall Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Marshall Avenue

  27. 27

    Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Marshall Avenue

  28. 28

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue

  29. 29

    Continue on South East Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South East Street

  30. 30

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue

  31. 31

    Continue on 220th Avenue

    11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue

  32. 32

    Continue on Southwest 7th Street

    2573 ft · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street

  33. 33

    Turn right onto West Elm Avenue

    2673 ft · 51 sec · West Elm Avenue

  34. 34

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1019 ft · 50 sec · North Main Street

  35. 35

    Turn left onto 3rd Avenue Northwest

    22 m · 3 sec · 3rd Avenue Northwest

  36. 36

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Avenue Northwest

Car Route Details

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

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
36 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
29.7 mi · 20%
County Road F50
17.4 mi · 11%
Fox Avenue
17.2 mi · 11%
State Highway 39
17.1 mi · 11%
South 6th Street
17 mi · 11%
North 16th Street
16.8 mi · 11%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

Turn right onto 220th Street

29.7 mi · 00h 34m

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
03h 27m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.4 mi
118.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kiron
01h 43m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
10:04 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Council Bluffs and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Pocahontas.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 152.2 miles (245 km) and usually takes 03h 27m 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?

Kiron is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.1 miles from Council Bluffs and 76.2 miles from Pocahontas.

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

The direct path is about 118.8 miles (191.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.4 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 10:04 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.25 one way or $40.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Council Bluffs and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Pocahontas.

Stop Ideas Near Kiron

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

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

RAIL

Omaha

116 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Pocahontas. Straight-line distance: 118.79 mi (191.17 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

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

#2 Pocahontas

City in and county seat of Pocahontas County, Iowa, United States

Population1,630
Coordinates42.7355300, -94.6691500
Altitude372
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Pocahontas (-94.66915, 42.73553)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 245 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.37 gal
20.34 L · about $20.25
Round trip
$40.50
10.74 gal · 40.68 L
Estimated CO2
47.7 kg one way
Round trip: 95.4 kg / 210 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.25 $40.50
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.84 $45.68
Premium $4.65 $24.99 $49.98
Diesel $5.30 $28.48 $56.96

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Pocahontas. The current time is 07:03:29.

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.