How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Sioux Center, IA?

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Sioux Center, IA is about 138.6 miles (223.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 126.6 miles (203.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 25m 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
138.66 mi
02h 42m
Flight
126.62 mi
203.78 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
126.62 mi
Kilometers
203.78 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
138.66 mi
Kilometers
223.15 km
Drive Time
02h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sioux Center
Sun, Apr 26, 7:43 PM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Sun, Apr 26, 10:26 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-26T17:01
Arrive Sioux Center
Sun, Apr 26, 7:43 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:04 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
Sloan
IA

Human settlement in Woodbury County, Iowa, USA

From Council Bluffs
69.3 mi
01h 21m
To Sioux Center
69.3 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 16 mph ESE
Destination
69°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Sioux Center.

  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

    30.1 mi · 36 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 75 North: Fifth Avenue Northwest, Sioux Center

    1594 ft · 41 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left

    18.2 mi · 26 min

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
9 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North 16th Street
88.9 mi · 64%
US 20 East
30.8 mi · 22%
West Broadway
0.35 mi
US 75 North
0.3 mi
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 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12 mi
126.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sloan
01h 21m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
1:04 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Council Bluffs and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sioux Center.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Sioux Center?

The road trip is about 138.6 miles (223.1 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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?

Sloan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.3 miles from Council Bluffs and 69.3 miles from Sioux Center.

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

The direct path is about 126.6 miles (203.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12 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 1:04 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.44 one way or $36.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Council Bluffs and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sioux Center.

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 Sioux Center. Straight-line distance: 126.62 mi (203.78 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Sioux Center

#2 Sioux Center

City in Sioux County, Iowa, United States of America

Population7,665
Coordinates43.0797100, -96.1755800
Altitude446
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Sioux Center (-96.17558, 43.07971)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 223 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.89 gal
18.52 L · about $18.44
Round trip
$36.88
9.78 gal · 37.04 L
Estimated CO2
43.5 kg one way
Round trip: 86.9 kg / 192 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.44 $36.88
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.80 $41.59
Premium $4.65 $22.76 $45.52
Diesel $5.30 $25.94 $51.87

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 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Sioux Center. The current time is 17:01:18.

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.