How far is Creston, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Creston, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 96.9 miles (156 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 79.2 miles (127.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 47m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in and county seat of Montgomery County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Creston and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Creston and Council Bluffs.
-
1
Start on East Montgomery Street
12 m · 7 sec · East Montgomery Street
-
2
Turn left onto North Pine Street
135 m · 21 sec · North Pine Street
-
3
Turn right onto West Adams Street
1506 ft · 43 sec · West Adams Street
-
4
Turn left onto West New York Avenue
2438 ft · 51 sec · West New York Avenue
-
5
Turn left onto South Sumner Avenue
1048 ft · 24 sec · South Sumner Avenue
-
6
Turn right onto West Taylor Street
914 ft · 18 sec · West Taylor Street
-
7
Continue on New York Avenue
78.8 mi · 1 hr 57 min · New York Avenue
-
8
Take the ramp slight right
14.1 mi · 16 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
1812 ft · 46 sec
-
10
Turn left onto South Expressway
1.5 mi · 3 min · South Expressway
-
11
Continue on South 6th Street
1045 ft · 44 sec · South 6th Street
-
12
Turn left onto Willow Avenue
939 ft · 23 sec · Willow Avenue
-
13
At the end of the road, turn right onto South 8th Street
968 ft · 32 sec · South 8th Street
-
14
Turn left onto West Broadway
1361 ft · 39 sec · West Broadway
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Creston and Council Bluffs.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
New York Avenue
Continue on New York Avenue
78.8 mi · 01h 57m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Creston and Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Creston to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 96.9 miles (156 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?
Red Oak is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.3 miles from Creston and 48.6 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 79.2 miles (127.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.7 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 2:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.90 one way or $25.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Creston and Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Red Oak
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 Red Oak.
Omaha
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Creston and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 79.26 mi (127.55 km).
#1 Creston
City in Iowa
| Population | 7,660 |
| Coordinates | 41.0586000, -94.3613500 |
| Altitude | 400 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Council Bluffs
The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
| Population | 62,216 |
| Coordinates | 41.2619400, -95.8608300 |
| Altitude | 301 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Broadway (-95.86083, 41.261939)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 156 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.90 | $25.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.55 | $29.09 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $15.92 | $31.83 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $18.14 | $36.28 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.