How far is Jefferson, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Jefferson, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 120.9 miles (194.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 92.6 miles (149 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 15m 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 07m.
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 Audubon County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jefferson and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on West Lincolnway Street
7 m · 2 sec · West Lincolnway Street
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2
Turn right onto South Elm Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Elm Street
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3
Continue on N Avenue
1.1 km · 55 sec · N Avenue
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4
Continue on South Elm Street
1927 ft · 30 sec · South Elm Street
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5
Continue on Neola Avenue
8.5 mi · 12 min · Neola Avenue
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6
Continue on State Highway 4
1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 4
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
2276 ft · 35 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on State Highway 4
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Highway 4
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9
Continue on Northeast 3rd Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Northeast 3rd Street
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10
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.1 km · 58 sec · East Main Street
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11
Continue on State Street
6.9 mi · 10 min · State Street
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12
Turn left onto South 5th Street
1801 ft · 30 sec · South 5th Street
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13
Continue on State Highway 25
10.9 mi · 16 min · State Highway 25
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14
Turn right onto County Road F65
1.6 mi · 3 min · County Road F65
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15
Continue on East Sherman Street
1448 ft · 35 sec · East Sherman Street
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16
Turn left onto Antique Country Drive
2821 ft · 56 sec · Antique Country Drive
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17
Take the ramp slight right
1435 ft · 35 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
54.8 mi · 59 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 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 Jefferson 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.
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Merge slight left onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
54.8 mi · 00h 59m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Jefferson and Partly Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jefferson to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 120.9 miles (194.5 km) and usually takes 02h 07m 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?
Brayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.3 miles from Jefferson and 59.6 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 92.6 miles (149 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.3 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 2:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.06 one way or $32.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Jefferson and Partly Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Brayton
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 Brayton.
Creston
Omaha
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jefferson and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 92.6 mi (149.03 km).
#1 Jefferson
City in Greene County, Iowa
| Population | 4,075 |
| Coordinates | 42.0152600, -94.3774700 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| 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: 194 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.06 | $32.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.12 | $36.24 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $19.83 | $39.65 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.60 | $45.19 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.