How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Rock Valley, IA?

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Rock Valley, IA is about 149.7 miles (240.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136.1 miles (219 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 05m 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
149.69 mi
03h 02m
Flight
136.09 mi
219.02 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
136.09 mi
Kilometers
219.02 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
149.69 mi
Kilometers
240.9 km
Drive Time
03h 02m

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 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rock Valley
Thu, Apr 30, 3:21 PM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Thu, Apr 30, 6:24 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-30T12:19
Arrive Rock Valley
Thu, Apr 30, 3:21 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:03 AM to 11:03 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
10:54 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
Sloan
IA

Human settlement in Woodbury County, Iowa, USA

From Council Bluffs
74.9 mi
01h 31m
To Rock Valley
74.8 mi
01h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph NNW
Destination
54°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Rock Valley.

  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

    21.4 mi · 26 min

  7. 7

    Turn slight left

    1782 ft · 49 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on 3rd Street

    1091 ft · 45 sec · 3rd Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Main Street

    692 ft · 26 sec · Main Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 5th Street

    1787 ft · 1 min · 5th Street

  11. 11

    Continue on County Road K42

    1.7 mi · 3 min · County Road K42

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road C38

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road C38

  13. 13

    Turn right onto County Road K42

    10 mi · 14 min · County Road K42

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 110th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 110th Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto County Road K30

    1371 ft · 33 sec · County Road K30

  16. 16

    Continue on Impala Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Impala Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on Eagle Avenue

    4 mi · 5 min · Eagle Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on Maple Avenue

    2820 ft · 1 min · Maple Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Eagle Avenue

    7.5 mi · 11 min · Eagle Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 390th Street

    1 mi · 1 min · 390th Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Elmwood Avenue

    7.8 mi · 11 min · Elmwood Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on 16th Avenue

    3127 ft · 2 min · 16th Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto 15th Street

    9 m · 1 sec · 15th Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 15th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
24 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North 16th Street
88.9 mi · 59%
US 20 East
22.2 mi · 15%
County Road K42
11.7 mi · 8%
Eagle Avenue
11.5 mi · 8%
Elmwood Avenue
7.77 mi · 5%
110th Street
1.99 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 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 02m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.6 mi
136.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sloan
01h 31m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
10:54 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rock Valley.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Rock Valley?

The road trip is about 149.7 miles (240.9 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?

Sloan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.9 miles from Council Bluffs and 74.8 miles from Rock Valley.

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

The direct path is about 136.1 miles (219 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 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 10:54 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.91 one way or $39.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny around Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rock Valley.

Stop Ideas Near Sloan

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

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

RAIL

Omaha

112 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Rock Valley. Straight-line distance: 136.09 mi (219.02 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Rock Valley

#2 Rock Valley

City in Sioux County, Iowa, United States of America

Population3,901
Coordinates43.2052600, -96.2950300
Altitude381
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Rock Valley (-96.29503, 43.20526)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 241 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.28 gal
19.99 L · about $19.91
Round trip
$39.82
10.56 gal · 39.98 L
Estimated CO2
46.9 kg one way
Round trip: 93.8 kg / 207 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.91 $39.82
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.46 $44.91
Premium $4.65 $24.57 $49.15
Diesel $5.30 $28.01 $56.01

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Rock Valley. The current time is 12:19:07.

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.