How far is Emmetsburg, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Emmetsburg, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 180.1 miles (289.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141.4 miles (227.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 31m 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 03h 15m.
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 Sac County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Emmetsburg and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Emmetsburg and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on 8th Street
27 m · 8 sec · 8th Street
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2
Turn right onto Lawler Street
101 m · 14 sec · Lawler Street
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3
Turn left onto Main Street
1026 ft · 39 sec · Main Street
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4
Turn right onto Broadway Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Broadway Street
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5
Continue on 460th Avenue
13 mi · 18 min · 460th Avenue
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6
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.1 mi · 15 min · 220th Avenue
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7
Continue on Northwest 7th Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 7th Street
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8
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue
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9
Continue on Marengo Avenue
2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue
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10
Continue on North East Street
1.2 km · 1 min · North East Street
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11
Continue on Marengo Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue
2.1 mi · 3 min · Marshall Avenue
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13
Take the ramp right toward US 20 West
1705 ft · 47 sec
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14
Merge slight left
29.7 mi · 34 min
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15
Turn left onto Fox Avenue
11.3 mi · 16 min · Fox Avenue
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16
Continue on Des Moines Street
2648 ft · 1 min · Des Moines Street
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17
Continue on Fox Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Fox Avenue
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18
Continue on 400th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 400th Street
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19
Continue on State Highway 39
17.1 mi · 24 min · State Highway 39
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20
Turn left
66 m · 9 sec
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21
Turn straight onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
1746 ft · 30 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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22
Continue on 260th Street
17 mi · 23 min · 260th Street
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23
Turn right onto State Highway 37
3.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 37
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24
Continue on Railway Street
3072 ft · 1 min · Railway Street
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25
Turn left onto State Highway 191
4.3 mi · 6 min · State Highway 191
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26
Continue on Railway Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Railway Street
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27
Continue on State Highway 191
9.7 mi · 14 min · State Highway 191
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28
Continue on Iowa 191
1.3 mi · 2 min · Iowa 191
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29
Continue on 1st Street
1531 ft · 27 sec · 1st Street
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30
Continue on Railway Street
2295 ft · 54 sec · Railway Street
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31
Continue on 1st Street
1605 ft · 26 sec · 1st Street
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32
Continue on Iowa 191
4.7 mi · 6 min · Iowa 191
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33
Continue on Railroad Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Railroad Highway
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34
Take the ramp slight left toward I 880 East: Des Moines
1812 ft · 44 sec
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35
Merge slight left
1118 ft · 14 sec
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36
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs
1.2 km · 48 sec
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37
Merge slight left
18.1 mi · 19 min
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38
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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39
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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40
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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41
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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42
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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43
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Emmetsburg and Council Bluffs.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 20 West
Merge slight left
29.7 mi · 00h 34m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Emmetsburg and Chance Rain Showers near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Emmetsburg to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 180.1 miles (289.8 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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?
Odebolt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.9 miles from Emmetsburg and 90.2 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141.4 miles (227.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.95 one way or $47.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Emmetsburg and Chance Rain Showers near Council Bluffs.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Emmetsburg and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 141.37 mi (227.52 km).
#1 Emmetsburg
City in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,667 |
| Coordinates | 43.1127400, -94.6830400 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| 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: 290 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.95 | $47.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.01 | $54.01 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.55 | $59.11 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.68 | $67.36 |
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.