How far is Holstein, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?

The driving distance from Holstein, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 112.8 miles (181.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 86.3 miles (138.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
112.79 mi
01h 57m
Flight
86.33 mi
138.94 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Holstein.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
86.33 mi
Kilometers
138.94 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
112.79 mi
Kilometers
181.52 km
Drive Time
01h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Council Bluffs
Wed, Apr 22, 8:35 PM CDT
Return by in Holstein
Wed, Apr 22, 10:33 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Holstein
2026-04-22T18:38
Arrive Council Bluffs
Wed, Apr 22, 8:35 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:58 AM to 11:58 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Holstein
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Moorhead
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Holstein
50.8 mi
00h 58m
To Council Bluffs
62 mi
00h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
83°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 16 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Holstein and Council Bluffs.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Holstein and Council Bluffs.

  1. 1

    Start on West 2nd Street

    19 m · 7 sec · West 2nd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto United States Highway 20

    1464 ft · 27 sec · United States Highway 20

  4. 4

    Continue on Highway 20

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Highway 20

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Eagle Avenue

    10.1 mi · 14 min · Eagle Avenue

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 175

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 175

  7. 7

    Continue on 1st Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · 1st Street

  8. 8

    Continue on State Highway 175

    14.4 mi · 20 min · State Highway 175

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North 4th Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North 4th Street

  10. 10

    Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

    2539 ft · 42 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Turn right onto County Highway L32

    11.2 mi · 15 min · County Highway L32

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 37

    1.6 mi · 2 min · State Highway 37

  13. 13

    Turn right

    23 mi · 32 min

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn left

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Continue on Loess Hills Trail

    10 mi · 14 min · Loess Hills Trail

  16. 16

    Continue on North 1st Street

    3178 ft · 2 min · North 1st Street

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North 1st Street

    48 m · 8 sec · North 1st Street

  18. 18

    Continue on North 1st Street

    1113 ft · 42 sec · North 1st Street

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Erie Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · West Erie Street

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right

    1407 ft · 34 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left onto Officer Philip J. Adams Memorial Bridge

    18.9 mi · 20 min · Officer Philip J. Adams Memorial Bridge

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight left

    2123 ft · 52 sec

  23. 23

    Continue on North 16th Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North 16th Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto West Broadway

    3164 ft · 1 min · West Broadway

  25. 25

    Continue on West Broadway

    1361 ft · 39 sec · West Broadway

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Holstein and Council Bluffs.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
26 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Officer Philip J. Adams Memorial Bridge
19.3 mi · 17%
State Highway 175
15.4 mi · 14%
County Highway L32
11.2 mi · 10%
Eagle Avenue
10.1 mi · 9%
Loess Hills Trail
9.98 mi · 9%
West Erie Street
1.63 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

23 mi · 00h 32m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.5 mi
86.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Moorhead
00h 58m from Holstein
Leave By
2:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Holstein and Sunny near Council Bluffs.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Holstein to Council Bluffs?

The road trip is about 112.8 miles (181.5 km) and usually takes 01h 57m 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?

Moorhead is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.8 miles from Holstein and 62 miles from Council Bluffs.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 86.3 miles (138.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.5 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 2:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.01 one way or $30.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Holstein and Sunny near Council Bluffs.

Stop Ideas Near Moorhead

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Moorhead, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Moorhead.

RAIL

Omaha

75 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Holstein and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 86.33 mi (138.94 km).

Holstein

#1 Holstein

City in Iowa, USA

Population1,367
Coordinates42.4891500, -95.5450000
Altitude442
CountryUnited States
Council Bluffs

#2 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Start: West 2nd Street (-95.545, 42.489276)
End: West Broadway (-95.86083, 41.261939)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 182 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.98 gal
15.07 L · about $15.01
Round trip
$30.02
7.96 gal · 30.14 L
Estimated CO2
35.4 kg one way
Round trip: 70.7 kg / 156 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.01 $30.02
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.93 $33.85
Premium $4.65 $18.52 $37.05
Diesel $5.30 $21.11 $42.22

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Holstein and Council Bluffs. The current time is 18:38:22.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.