How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Polk City, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Polk City, IA is about 134.7 miles (216.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.6 miles (187.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 36m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Polk City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Polk City.
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1
Start on West Broadway
1850 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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2
Continue on West Broadway
3251 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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3
Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard
4.2 mi · 8 min · West Kanesville Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp slight left
1399 ft · 34 sec
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5
Merge slight left
113.8 mi · 2 hr 2 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
4.5 mi · 5 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IA 141 West: Grimes
1.3 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Southeast Grimes Boulevard
2.3 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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9
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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10
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.1 mi · 2 min · Northwest 114th Street
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 415, NW Saylorville Drive: Polk City
2887 ft · 1 min
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto Northwest Saylorville Drive
1.4 mi · 2 min · Northwest Saylorville Drive
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwest Saylorville Drive
41 m · 2 sec · Northwest Saylorville Drive
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Northwest Saylorville Drive
86 m · 5 sec · Northwest Saylorville Drive
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15
Continue on Northwest 112th Street
2287 ft · 43 sec · Northwest 112th Street
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16
Continue on Mile Long Bridge
1.5 km · 2 min · Mile Long Bridge
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17
Continue on West Bridge Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Bridge Road
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18
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
3016 ft · 1 min · South 3rd Street
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19
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
85 m · 17 sec · West Broadway Street
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20
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
5 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Polk City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Polk City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Polk City?
The road trip is about 134.7 miles (216.7 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?
Anita is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.2 miles from Council Bluffs and 67.4 miles from Polk City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.6 miles (187.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 $17.91 one way or $35.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Council Bluffs and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Polk City.
Stop Ideas Near Anita
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Anita.
Creston
Osceola
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Polk City. Straight-line distance: 116.56 mi (187.58 km).
#1 Council Bluffs
The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
| Population | 62,216 |
| Coordinates | 41.2619400, -95.8608300 |
| Altitude | 301 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Polk City
American city in Iowa
| Population | 4,961 |
| Coordinates | 41.7713800, -93.7130000 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| Country | United States |
End: Polk City (-93.713, 41.77138)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 217 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.91 | $35.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.20 | $40.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.11 | $44.21 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.19 | $50.39 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.