How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Shell Rock, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Shell Rock, IA is about 243 miles (391.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 195.8 miles (315.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 56m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Shell Rock.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Shell Rock.
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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
14.4 mi · 17 min
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7
Keep slight left
4.5 mi · 5 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
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9
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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10
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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11
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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12
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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13
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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14
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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15
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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16
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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17
Continue on County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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18
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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19
Turn left onto N Avenue
10.9 mi · 16 min · N Avenue
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20
Continue on State Highway 14
1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 14
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21
Turn right
2 mi · 3 min
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22
Turn left onto Sinclair Avenue
9 mi · 13 min · Sinclair Avenue
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23
Turn right onto Butler Center Road
7 mi · 10 min · Butler Center Road
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24
Continue on South Cherry Street
1.4 km · 2 min · South Cherry Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Cherry Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Shell Rock.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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 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.
Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Sunny near Shell Rock.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Shell Rock?
The road trip is about 243 miles (391.1 km) and usually takes 04h 56m 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?
Clive is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.4 miles from Council Bluffs and 121.7 miles from Shell Rock.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 195.8 miles (315.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.2 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 7:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.36 one way or $64.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Council Bluffs and Sunny near Shell Rock.
Stop Ideas Near Clive
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 Clive.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Shell Rock. Straight-line distance: 195.82 mi (315.14 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 Shell Rock
City in Butler County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,268 |
| Coordinates | 42.7102600, -92.5829700 |
| Altitude | 278 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shell Rock (-92.58297, 42.71026)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 391 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.36 | $64.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.49 | $72.98 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.93 | $79.86 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.51 | $91.02 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.