How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Urbana, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Urbana, IA is about 251 miles (404 km), with a travel time of about 04h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 216 miles (347.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 57m 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 58m.
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.
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Urbana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Urbana.
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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
33.5 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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11
Take the exit right
2792 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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13
Continue on 73rd Street
11.7 mi · 14 min · 73rd Street
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14
Turn left onto 21st Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · 21st Avenue
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15
Continue on 1st Street
773 ft · 18 sec · 1st Street
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16
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
1468 ft · 29 sec · 1st Avenue
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17
Continue on State Highway 199
540 ft · 11 sec · State Highway 199
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18
Continue on 70th Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · 70th Street
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19
Turn left onto 24th Avenue
10 mi · 15 min · 24th Avenue
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20
Turn straight onto State Highway 150
1005 ft · 17 sec · State Highway 150
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21
Continue on C Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · C Avenue
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22
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
1003 ft · 21 sec · West 2nd Street
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23
Turn left onto 24th Avenue Drive
3.8 mi · 6 min · 24th Avenue Drive
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24
Turn straight onto 55th Street
6.4 mi · 9 min · 55th Street
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 55th Street
46 m · 2 sec · 55th Street
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26
Exit the roundabout onto 55th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 55th Street
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27
Turn right onto Ash Avenue
1084 ft · 35 sec · Ash Avenue
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28
Turn left onto West Wood Street
130 m · 12 sec · West Wood Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Wood Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Urbana.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Council Bluffs and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Urbana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Urbana?
The road trip is about 251 miles (404 km) and usually takes 04h 58m 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?
Urbandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.3 miles from Council Bluffs and 125.8 miles from Urbana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 216 miles (347.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 35 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 7:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.41 one way or $66.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Council Bluffs and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Urbana.
Stop Ideas Near Urbandale
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 Urbandale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Urbana. Straight-line distance: 215.98 mi (347.58 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 Urbana
City in Benton County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,498 |
| Coordinates | 42.2241600, -91.8743400 |
| Altitude | 286 |
| Country | United States |
End: Urbana (-91.87434, 42.22416)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 404 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.41 | $66.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.68 | $75.36 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.23 | $82.47 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.99 | $93.99 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.