How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Villisca, IA?

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Villisca, IA is about 66.4 miles (106.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.4 miles (82.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 16m 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
66.45 mi
01h 38m
Flight
51.47 mi
82.83 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
51.47 mi
Kilometers
82.83 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
66.45 mi
Kilometers
106.94 km
Drive Time
01h 38m

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 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Villisca
Sun, Apr 12, 7:20 AM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Sun, Apr 12, 8:58 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-12T05:42
Arrive Villisca
Sun, Apr 12, 7:20 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:38 AM to 11:38 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:14 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
Hastings
IA

City in Mills County, Iowa, United States

From Council Bluffs
33.2 mi
00h 49m
To Villisca
33.2 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 17 mph SSW
Destination
74°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 23 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Villisca.

  1. 1

    Start on West Broadway

    1850 ft · 53 sec · West Broadway

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South 16th Street

    1732 ft · 59 sec · South 16th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 5th Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · 5th Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South 7th Street

    142 m · 16 sec · South 7th Street

  5. 5

    Turn slight left onto South Expressway

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Expressway

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 29 South, I 80 East: Des Moines, Kansas City

    2672 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 29 South: Kansas City

    2835 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    12.3 mi · 13 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 34, US 275 South: South Bellevue, Glenwood

    1809 ft · 44 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    1.2 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto US Highway 34

    44.7 mi · 1 hr 6 min · US Highway 34

  12. 12

    Take the ramp slight right

    1556 ft · 50 sec

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn left

    2.9 mi · 4 min

  14. 14

    Turn left onto West High Street

    99 m · 11 sec · West High Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North U Avenue

    1924 ft · 58 sec · North U Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West 3rd Street

    2595 ft · 52 sec · West 3rd Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US Highway 34
45 mi · 68%
I 29 South
13.4 mi · 20%
South Expressway
1.71 mi · 3%
US 34
1.08 mi · 2%
5th Avenue
0.67 mi · 1%
West 3rd Street
0.49 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 34

Merge slight left onto US Highway 34

44.7 mi · 01h 06m

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
01h 38m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15 mi
51.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hastings
00h 49m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
3:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Council Bluffs and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Villisca.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Villisca?

The road trip is about 66.4 miles (106.9 km) and usually takes 01h 38m 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?

Hastings is a useful midpoint, sitting about 33.2 miles from Council Bluffs and 33.2 miles from Villisca.

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

The direct path is about 51.4 miles (82.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 3:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.86 one way or $17.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Council Bluffs and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Villisca.

Stop Ideas Near Hastings

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Hastings, 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 Hastings.

RAIL

Omaha

44 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Creston

96 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Lincoln

104 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Villisca. Straight-line distance: 51.47 mi (82.83 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Villisca

#2 Villisca

City in Montgomery County, Iowa, United States

Population1,143
Coordinates40.9297100, -94.9760900
Altitude328
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Villisca (-94.97609, 40.92971)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 107 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.35 gal
8.88 L · about $8.86
Round trip
$17.72
4.7 gal · 17.76 L
Estimated CO2
20.9 kg one way
Round trip: 41.8 kg / 92 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $8.86 $17.72
Mid-grade $4.25 $9.99 $19.99
Premium $4.65 $10.94 $21.87
Diesel $5.30 $12.46 $24.93

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Villisca. The current time is 05:42:51.

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.