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

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Williamsburg, IA is about 218.3 miles (351.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 201.3 miles (324 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
218.28 mi
04h 02m
Flight
201.32 mi
323.99 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Council Bluffs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
201.32 mi
Kilometers
323.99 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
218.28 mi
Kilometers
351.28 km
Drive Time
04h 02m

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 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Williamsburg
Fri, Apr 17, 6:34 AM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Fri, Apr 17, 10:36 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-17T02:31
Arrive Williamsburg
Fri, Apr 17, 6:34 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:03 AM to 12:03 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:54 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Council Bluffs
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Van Meter
IA

Township in Dallas County, Iowa

From Council Bluffs
108.9 mi
02h 01m
To Williamsburg
109.4 mi
02h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph WSW
Destination
78°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Broadway

    1850 ft · 1 min · West Broadway

  2. 2

    Continue on West Broadway

    3251 ft · 1 min · West Broadway

  3. 3

    Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard

    4.2 mi · 8 min · West Kanesville Boulevard

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left

    1399 ft · 34 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    113.8 mi · 2 hr 2 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

    14.4 mi · 17 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    82.5 mi · 1 hr 29 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 149 South, CR B77 North: Williamsburg, Parnell

    1677 ft · 43 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right

    1.7 mi · 3 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto West Welsh Street

    122 m · 10 sec · West Welsh Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Court Street

    43 m · 6 sec · Court Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Court Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Kanesville Boulevard
118 mi · 54%
I 35
96.9 mi · 44%
West Broadway
0.97 mi
IA 149 South
0.32 mi
West Welsh Street
0.08 mi
Court Street
0.03 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 02m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17 mi
201.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Van Meter
02h 01m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
8:54 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Council Bluffs and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Williamsburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 218.3 miles (351.3 km) and usually takes 04h 02m 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?

Van Meter is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.9 miles from Council Bluffs and 109.4 miles from Williamsburg.

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

The direct path is about 201.3 miles (324 km), while the road route adds roughly 17 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 8:54 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.04 one way or $58.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.4 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 Williamsburg.

Stop Ideas Near Van Meter

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

57 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Creston

63 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Williamsburg. Straight-line distance: 201.32 mi (323.99 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

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

#2 Williamsburg

City in Iowa

Population3,179
Coordinates41.6611200, -92.0090700
Altitude251
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Williamsburg (-92.00907, 41.66112)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 351 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.7 gal
29.16 L · about $29.04
Round trip
$58.07
15.4 gal · 58.32 L
Estimated CO2
68.4 kg one way
Round trip: 136.9 kg / 302 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.04 $58.07
Mid-grade $4.25 $32.75 $65.50
Premium $4.65 $35.84 $71.67
Diesel $5.30 $40.84 $81.68

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

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Williamsburg. The current time is 02:31:35.

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.