How far is Fort Madison, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Fort Madison, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 309.3 miles (497.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 241.2 miles (388.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 42m 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 04h 51m.
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 Marion County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Madison and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Madison and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on the route
19 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto Avenue I
42 m · 11 sec · Avenue I
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3
Turn left onto Avenue H
1.5 km · 2 min · Avenue H
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4
Turn left onto 20th Street
1078 ft · 22 sec · 20th Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Avenue L
1.3 mi · 2 min · Avenue L
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6
Continue on Old Highway 61
1602 ft · 27 sec · Old Highway 61
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7
Continue on Avenue O
2.1 mi · 3 min · Avenue O
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8
Turn straight
8.3 mi · 11 min
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9
Take the ramp right
2184 ft · 53 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
24.5 mi · 28 min · Avenue of the Saints
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11
Keep slight right
61.1 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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12
Continue straight
16.7 mi · 19 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IA 92: Oskaloosa, Knoxville
2175 ft · 1 min
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14
Turn left onto A Avenue West
32.4 mi · 36 min · A Avenue West
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15
Turn right
575 ft · 7 sec
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16
Continue on State Highway 5
19.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 5
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17
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.3 mi · 14 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis
1.4 km · 2 min
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19
Merge slight left
4.3 mi · 5 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
2455 ft · 1 min · Ramp 72 J
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21
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2827 ft · 40 sec · John MacVicar Freeway
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22
Merge slight right
94.8 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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25
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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26
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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27
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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28
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Madison and Council Bluffs.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
John MacVicar Freeway
Merge slight right
94.8 mi · 01h 42m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Fort Madison 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 Fort Madison to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 309.3 miles (497.7 km) and usually takes 04h 51m 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?
Pleasantville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152.3 miles from Fort Madison and 157 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 241.2 miles (388.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 68.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.14 one way or $82.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Fort Madison and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Pleasantville
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 Pleasantville.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Madison and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 241.19 mi (388.16 km).
#1 Fort Madison
City and county seat in Lee County, Iowa
| Population | 10,263 |
| Coordinates | 40.6297600, -91.3151500 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| 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: 498 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.14 | $82.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.40 | $92.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.78 | $101.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.87 | $115.73 |
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.