How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Shenandoah, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Shenandoah, IA is about 59.2 miles (95.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.8 miles (68.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 52m 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 01h 26m.
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 Mills County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Shenandoah.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Shenandoah.
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1
Start on West Broadway
1850 ft · 53 sec · West Broadway
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2
Turn left onto South 16th Street
1732 ft · 59 sec · South 16th Street
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3
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · 5th Avenue
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4
Turn right onto South 7th Street
142 m · 16 sec · South 7th Street
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5
Turn slight left onto South Expressway
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Expressway
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 29 South, I 80 East: Des Moines, Kansas City
2672 ft · 1 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 South: Kansas City
2835 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left
12.3 mi · 13 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 34, US 275 South: South Bellevue, Glenwood
1809 ft · 44 sec
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10
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left onto US Highway 34
22.3 mi · 33 min · US Highway 34
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12
Turn right
1060 ft · 41 sec
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13
Turn left
18.4 mi · 26 min
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14
Turn left onto West Sheridan Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · West Sheridan Avenue
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15
Turn right onto South Blossom Street
30 m · 10 sec · South Blossom Street
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16
Turn left onto West Clarinda Avenue
33 m · 5 sec · West Clarinda Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Clarinda Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Shenandoah.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US Highway 34
Merge slight left onto US Highway 34
22.3 mi · 00h 33m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Council Bluffs and Sunny near Shenandoah.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Shenandoah?
The road trip is about 59.2 miles (95.2 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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?
Malvern is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.6 miles from Council Bluffs and 29.6 miles from Shenandoah.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.8 miles (68.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 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 3:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.88 one way or $15.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Council Bluffs and Sunny near Shenandoah.
Stop Ideas Near Malvern
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 Malvern.
Omaha
Lincoln
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Shenandoah. Straight-line distance: 42.73 mi (68.76 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 Shenandoah
Town in Page County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 4,783 |
| Coordinates | 40.7655500, -95.3722100 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shenandoah (-95.37221, 40.76555)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 95 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.88 | $15.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.89 | $17.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.73 | $19.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $11.09 | $22.17 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.