How far is Decorah, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Decorah, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 317.5 miles (511 km), with a travel time of about 05h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 251.5 miles (404.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 44m 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 05h 22m.
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.
City in Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decorah and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decorah and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on East Main Street
120 m · 23 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto Winnebago Street
104 m · 17 sec · Winnebago Street
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3
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
989 ft · 25 sec · West Broadway Street
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4
Turn left onto South Mechanic Street
2540 ft · 1 min · South Mechanic Street
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5
Turn slight right onto Short Street
2148 ft · 1 min · Short Street
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6
Turn right onto State Highway 9
2194 ft · 48 sec · State Highway 9
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7
Turn left
9.6 mi · 14 min
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8
Turn right onto South Street
1043 ft · 49 sec · South Street
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9
Turn left onto Charles Street
1751 ft · 39 sec · Charles Street
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10
Continue on State Highway 24
3237 ft · 52 sec · State Highway 24
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11
Continue on Highway 24
3252 ft · 50 sec · Highway 24
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12
Continue on State Highway 24
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 24
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13
Continue on 1st Street Southeast
1363 ft · 42 sec · 1st Street Southeast
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14
Continue on State Highway 24
20.3 mi · 28 min · State Highway 24
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15
Continue on East Main Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · East Main Street
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16
Continue on 210th Street
1801 ft · 39 sec · 210th Street
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17
Turn right onto Kenwood Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Kenwood Avenue
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18
Turn left onto 200th Street
11 mi · 15 min · 200th Street
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19
Continue on 200th Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · 200th Avenue
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20
Continue on 5th Avenue
1761 ft · 50 sec · 5th Avenue
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21
Turn straight onto 4th Avenue
1 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue
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22
Continue on Brantingham Street
759 ft · 26 sec · Brantingham Street
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23
Turn right onto Clark Street
1319 ft · 34 sec · Clark Street
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24
Turn left onto North Main Street
1198 ft · 39 sec · North Main Street
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25
Turn right onto Gilbert Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · Gilbert Street
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26
Turn straight onto 185th Street
862 ft · 14 sec · 185th Street
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27
Take the ramp right
1685 ft · 41 sec
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28
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
32.9 mi · 38 min · Avenue of the Saints
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29
Take the exit slight left toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1.4 km · 1 min
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30
Continue on I 35 South: Des Moines
2643 ft · 32 sec
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31
Merge slight left
102.7 mi · 1 hr 51 min
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32
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
14.3 mi · 16 min
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33
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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34
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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35
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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36
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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37
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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38
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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39
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decorah and Council Bluffs.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 35 South
Merge slight left
103 mi · 01h 51m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Decorah and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decorah to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 317.5 miles (511 km) and usually takes 05h 22m 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?
Roland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 164.8 miles from Decorah and 152.7 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 251.5 miles (404.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 66 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 6:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.24 one way or $84.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Decorah and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Council Bluffs.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decorah and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 251.52 mi (404.78 km).
#1 Decorah
Town in Iowa
| Population | 7,484 |
| Coordinates | 43.3033100, -91.7857100 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| 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: 511 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.24 | $84.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.63 | $95.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $52.12 | $104.25 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $59.40 | $118.81 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.