How far is Kalona, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Kalona, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 245.6 miles (395.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 215.9 miles (347.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 51m 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 55m.
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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kalona and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kalona and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on B Avenue
11 m · 4 sec · B Avenue
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2
Turn right onto 5th Street
1014 ft · 50 sec · 5th Street
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3
Turn left onto East Avenue
2076 ft · 35 sec · East Avenue
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4
Turn right onto 1st Street
1.1 km · 1 min · 1st Street
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5
Continue on State Highway 1
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 1
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6
Continue on Highway 1 Southwest
4 mi · 6 min · Highway 1 Southwest
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7
Turn left onto 500th Street Southwest
1.8 mi · 3 min · 500th Street Southwest
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8
Turn right onto Orval Yoder Turnpike Southwest
2.8 mi · 5 min · Orval Yoder Turnpike Southwest
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto Black Diamond Road Southwest
3.3 mi · 6 min · Black Diamond Road Southwest
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10
Turn right onto Black Hawk Avenue Southwest
2.8 mi · 5 min · Black Hawk Avenue Southwest
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Black Hawk Avenue Southwest
3.1 mi · 5 min · Black Hawk Avenue Southwest
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12
Continue on Black Hawk Avenue Northwest
154 m · 17 sec · Black Hawk Avenue Northwest
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13
Take the ramp left
1952 ft · 47 sec
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14
Merge slight left
106.2 mi · 1 hr 56 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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18
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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19
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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20
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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21
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kalona and Council Bluffs.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Black Hawk Avenue Northwest
Merge slight left
106 mi · 01h 56m
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 Sunny leaving Kalona 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 Kalona to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 245.6 miles (395.3 km) and usually takes 03h 55m 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?
Grimes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.7 miles from Kalona and 123 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 215.9 miles (347.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 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 9:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.69 one way or $65.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Kalona and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Grimes
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 Grimes.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kalona and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 215.95 mi (347.53 km).
#1 Kalona
Town in the U.
| Population | 2,560 |
| Coordinates | 41.4830700, -91.7060000 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| 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: 395 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.69 | $65.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.87 | $73.75 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.35 | $80.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.99 | $91.97 |
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.