How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Rockwell City, IA?

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Rockwell City, IA is about 135.5 miles (218.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 100.6 miles (161.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 00m 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
135.5 mi
03h 00m
Flight
100.61 mi
161.91 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
100.61 mi
Kilometers
161.91 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
135.5 mi
Kilometers
218.07 km
Drive Time
03h 00m

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 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rockwell City
Sat, Apr 18, 3:52 AM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Sat, Apr 18, 6:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-18T00:51
Arrive Rockwell City
Sat, Apr 18, 3:52 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:30 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
Exira
IA

Township in Audubon County, Iowa

From Council Bluffs
67.7 mi
01h 30m
To Rockwell City
67.8 mi
01h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 15 mph NW
Destination
49°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 23 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Rockwell City.

  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

    51.4 mi · 55 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon

    1788 ft · 46 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto 650th Street

    3235 ft · 56 sec · 650th Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Highway 71

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Highway 71

  9. 9

    Continue on Lincoln Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Highway 71

    11.7 mi · 16 min · Highway 71

  11. 11

    Continue on South Market Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Market Street

  12. 12

    Continue on County Road F32

    12.1 mi · 17 min · County Road F32

  13. 13

    Turn right onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

    3 mi · 4 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Turn left

    24 mi · 34 min

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 370th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 370th Street

  16. 16

    Continue on 365th Street

    3.1 mi · 5 min · 365th Street

  17. 17

    Continue on State Highway 175

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 175

  18. 18

    Continue on State Highway 175

    1.4 km · 1 min · State Highway 175

  19. 19

    Continue on West Main Street

    2.1 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

  20. 20

    Continue on 360th Street

    3 mi · 5 min · 360th Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Norridge Avenue

    8.6 mi · 12 min · Norridge Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Tonawanda Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · Tonawanda Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto 4th Street

    1375 ft · 1 min · 4th Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Kanesville Boulevard
55.9 mi · 41%
Highway 71
14.3 mi · 11%
County Road F32
12.1 mi · 9%
Norridge Avenue
8.56 mi · 6%
365th Street
3.05 mi · 2%
360th Street
3 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

West Kanesville Boulevard

Merge slight left

51.4 mi · 00h 55m

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
03h 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
06h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.9 mi
100.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Exira
01h 30m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
12:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Rockwell City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Rockwell City?

The road trip is about 135.5 miles (218.1 km) and usually takes 03h 00m 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?

Exira is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.7 miles from Council Bluffs and 67.8 miles from Rockwell City.

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

The direct path is about 100.6 miles (161.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.9 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 12:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.03 one way or $36.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny around Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Rockwell City.

Stop Ideas Near Exira

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

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

RAIL

Creston

73 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Omaha

96 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Osceola

111 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Rockwell City. Straight-line distance: 100.61 mi (161.91 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Rockwell City

#2 Rockwell City

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

Population2,082
Coordinates42.3952600, -94.6338700
Altitude375
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Rockwell City (-94.63387, 42.39526)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 218 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.78 gal
18.1 L · about $18.03
Round trip
$36.05
9.56 gal · 36.2 L
Estimated CO2
42.5 kg one way
Round trip: 85 kg / 187 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.03 $36.05
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.33 $40.66
Premium $4.65 $22.25 $44.49
Diesel $5.30 $25.35 $50.71

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Rockwell City. The current time is 00:51:42.

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.