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

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Winterset, IA is about 119.6 miles (192.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 96 miles (154.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 41m 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
119.64 mi
02h 20m
Flight
96 mi
154.49 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
96 mi
Kilometers
154.49 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
119.64 mi
Kilometers
192.55 km
Drive Time
02h 20m

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 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Winterset
Wed, Apr 15, 7:34 PM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Wed, Apr 15, 9:55 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-15T17:13
Arrive Winterset
Wed, Apr 15, 7:34 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:21 AM to 12:21 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:48 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
Brayton
IA

Human settlement in Audubon County, Iowa, United States of America

From Council Bluffs
59.7 mi
01h 10m
To Winterset
60 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Overnight

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 mph ENE
Destination
76°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    97.4 mi · 1 hr 44 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward CR F90, CR P58

    1269 ft · 33 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto 360th Street

    3.3 mi · 5 min · 360th Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto North Avenue

    13.2 mi · 20 min · North Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right onto West Grade Street

    38 m · 6 sec · West Grade Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Grade Street

Car Route Details

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

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
10 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Kanesville Boulevard
102 mi · 85%
North Avenue
13.2 mi · 11%
360th Street
3.33 mi · 3%
West Broadway
0.97 mi · 1%
CR F90
0.24 mi
West Grade Street
0.02 mi
Longest Stretch

West Kanesville Boulevard

Merge slight left

97.4 mi · 01h 44m

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 20m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.6 mi
96 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brayton
01h 10m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
1:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Council Bluffs and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Winterset.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 119.6 miles (192.5 km) and usually takes 02h 20m 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?

Brayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.7 miles from Council Bluffs and 60 miles from Winterset.

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

The direct path is about 96 miles (154.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 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 1:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.91 one way or $31.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.5 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 Winterset.

Stop Ideas Near Brayton

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

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

RAIL

Creston

72 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Omaha

90 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Osceola

112 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Winterset. Straight-line distance: 96 mi (154.49 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

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

#2 Winterset

City in Iowa

Population5,428
Coordinates41.3308200, -94.0138400
Altitude332
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Winterset (-94.01384, 41.33082)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 193 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.22 gal
15.98 L · about $15.91
Round trip
$31.83
8.44 gal · 31.96 L
Estimated CO2
37.5 kg one way
Round trip: 75 kg / 165 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.91 $31.83
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.95 $35.90
Premium $4.65 $19.64 $39.28
Diesel $5.30 $22.38 $44.77

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Winterset. The current time is 17:13:50.

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.