How far is Council Bluffs, IA from State Center, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to State Center, IA is about 175.9 miles (283.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.7 miles (239.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 44m 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 03h 22m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and State Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and State Center.
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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
28.2 mi · 33 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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11
Turn left onto Hart Avenue
3.7 mi · 5 min · Hart Avenue
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12
Turn left onto Lincoln Highway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Highway
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13
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue Southwest
2153 ft · 47 sec · 3rd Avenue Southwest
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14
Turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
860 ft · 23 sec · 4th Street Southwest
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15
Turn left onto 1st Avenue South
1114 ft · 24 sec · 1st Avenue South
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16
Turn right onto East Main Street
4 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and State Center.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near State Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to State Center?
The road trip is about 175.9 miles (283.1 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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?
Stuart is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.8 miles from Council Bluffs and 88.1 miles from State Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.7 miles (239.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.2 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 10:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.42 one way or $46.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Council Bluffs and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near State Center.
Stop Ideas Near Stuart
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 Stuart.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and State Center. Straight-line distance: 148.71 mi (239.33 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 State Center
City in Marshall County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 1,432 |
| Coordinates | 42.0166500, -93.1635400 |
| Altitude | 326 |
| Country | United States |
End: State Center (-93.16354, 42.01665)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 283 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.42 | $46.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.41 | $52.82 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.90 | $57.80 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.94 | $65.88 |
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 · May 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.