How far is Denison, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Denison, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 68.5 miles (110.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 58.4 miles (94 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 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 17m.
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.
Human settlement in Shelby County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Denison and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denison and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on North Main Street
1961 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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2
Turn right onto 4th Avenue South
2582 ft · 1 min · 4th Avenue South
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3
Keep slight left to continue on US 30 West, US 59 South, IA 141 East: Dunlap, Harlan
2 mi · 3 min
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4
Continue straight
14.8 mi · 20 min
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5
Turn right onto State Highway 37
3.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 37
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6
Continue on Railway Street
3072 ft · 1 min · Railway Street
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7
Turn left onto State Highway 191
4.3 mi · 6 min · State Highway 191
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8
Continue on Railway Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Railway Street
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9
Continue on State Highway 191
9.7 mi · 14 min · State Highway 191
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10
Continue on Iowa 191
1.3 mi · 2 min · Iowa 191
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11
Continue on 1st Street
1531 ft · 27 sec · 1st Street
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12
Continue on Railway Street
2295 ft · 54 sec · Railway Street
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13
Continue on 1st Street
1605 ft · 26 sec · 1st Street
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14
Continue on Iowa 191
4.7 mi · 6 min · Iowa 191
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15
Continue on Railroad Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Railroad Highway
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16
Take the ramp slight left toward I 880 East: Des Moines
1812 ft · 44 sec
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17
Merge slight left
1118 ft · 14 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs
1.2 km · 48 sec
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19
Merge slight left
18.1 mi · 19 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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21
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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22
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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23
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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24
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Denison and Council Bluffs.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 West
Merge slight left
18.1 mi · 00h 19m
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 Denison and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Denison to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 68.5 miles (110.2 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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?
Portsmouth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.2 miles from Denison and 34.3 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 58.4 miles (94 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 3:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.13 one way or $18.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Denison and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Portsmouth
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 Portsmouth.
Omaha
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Denison and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 58.38 mi (93.96 km).
#1 Denison
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 8,249 |
| Coordinates | 42.0177700, -95.3552800 |
| Altitude | 391 |
| 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: 110 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.13 | $18.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.29 | $20.58 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.26 | $22.53 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $12.84 | $25.67 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.