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

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Remsen, IA is about 131.4 miles (211.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 107.4 miles (172.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 07m 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
131.41 mi
02h 33m
Flight
107.44 mi
172.91 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
107.44 mi
Kilometers
172.91 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
131.41 mi
Kilometers
211.48 km
Drive Time
02h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Remsen
Fri, Apr 17, 1:44 AM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Fri, Apr 17, 4:17 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-16T23:10
Arrive Remsen
Fri, Apr 17, 1:44 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:22 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
Whiting
IA

City in Monona County, Iowa, United States

From Council Bluffs
65.7 mi
01h 16m
To Remsen
65.7 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 15 mph S
Destination
83°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    24.9 mi · 30 min

  7. 7

    Turn right onto County Road C38

    5.8 mi · 8 min · County Road C38

  8. 8

    Continue on 210th Street

    5 mi · 7 min · 210th Street

  9. 9

    Continue on C38

    1 mi · 1 min · C38

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Quest Avenue

    76 m · 4 sec · Quest Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on County Road L12

    4 mi · 6 min · County Road L12

  12. 12

    Turn right onto State Highway 3

    940 ft · 20 sec · State Highway 3

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Washington Street

    2316 ft · 2 min · Washington Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North 16th Street
88.9 mi · 68%
US 20 East
25.6 mi · 19%
County Road C38
5.82 mi · 4%
210th Street
5.01 mi · 4%
County Road L12
3.99 mi · 3%
C38
1.01 mi · 1%
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 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24 mi
107.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Whiting
01h 16m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
1:22 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Sunny near Remsen.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 131.4 miles (211.5 km) and usually takes 02h 33m 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 65.7 miles from Council Bluffs and 65.7 miles from Remsen.

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

The direct path is about 107.4 miles (172.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 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 1:22 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.50 one way or $34.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Council Bluffs and Sunny near Remsen.

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 Remsen. Straight-line distance: 107.44 mi (172.91 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

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

#2 Remsen

City in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,607
Coordinates42.8147100, -95.9733500
Altitude405
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Remsen (-95.97335, 42.81471)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 211 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.64 gal
17.55 L · about $17.50
Round trip
$34.99
9.28 gal · 35.1 L
Estimated CO2
41.2 kg one way
Round trip: 82.5 kg / 182 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.50 $34.99
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.73 $39.47
Premium $4.65 $21.59 $43.19
Diesel $5.30 $24.61 $49.22

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Remsen. The current time is 23:10:37.

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.