How far is Hawarden, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Hawarden, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 134.2 miles (216 km), with a travel time of about 02h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 124 miles (199.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 31m 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 02h 15m.
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 Monona County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hawarden and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hawarden and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on Central Avenue
105 m · 17 sec · Central Avenue
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2
Turn right onto 10th Street
1.2 km · 2 min · 10th Street
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3
Turn right onto Buchanan Avenue
6 mi · 9 min · Buchanan Avenue
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4
Continue on K18N
19.9 mi · 27 min · K18N
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 12
5.4 mi · 7 min · State Highway 12
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6
Continue on Sioux River Road
2.8 mi · 4 min · Sioux River Road
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7
Turn right onto Riverside Boulevard
2.1 mi · 5 min · Riverside Boulevard
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8
Take the ramp left toward I 29 South
1669 ft · 41 sec
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9
Merge slight left
94.1 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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10
Take the exit slight left
2123 ft · 52 sec
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11
Continue on North 16th Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North 16th Street
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12
Turn left onto West Broadway
3164 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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13
Continue on West Broadway
1361 ft · 39 sec · West Broadway
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hawarden 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 29 South
Merge slight left
94.1 mi · 01h 42m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Hawarden 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 Hawarden to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 134.2 miles (216 km) and usually takes 02h 15m 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?
Whiting is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67 miles from Hawarden and 67.2 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 124 miles (199.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.2 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 1:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.87 one way or $35.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Hawarden and Chance Rain Showers near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Whiting
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 Whiting.
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hawarden and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 124 mi (199.56 km).
#1 Hawarden
City in Sioux County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 2,443 |
| Coordinates | 42.9958200, -96.4853100 |
| Altitude | 360 |
| 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: 216 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.87 | $35.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.16 | $40.32 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.06 | $44.12 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.14 | $50.28 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.