How far is Knoxville, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Knoxville, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 164.7 miles (265.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.9 miles (230 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 19m 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 39m.
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 Guthrie County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Knoxville and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville and Council Bluffs.
-
1
Start on North Lincoln Street
11 m · 3 sec · North Lincoln Street
-
2
Turn right onto West Pleasant Street
2673 ft · 53 sec · West Pleasant Street
-
3
Continue on McKimber Street
1255 ft · 25 sec · McKimber Street
-
4
Continue on McKimber Drive
2817 ft · 56 sec · McKimber Drive
-
5
Take the ramp straight
3148 ft · 1 min
-
6
Merge slight left
6.7 mi · 8 min
-
7
Turn right
575 ft · 7 sec
-
8
Continue on State Highway 5
19.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 5
-
9
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.3 mi · 14 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis
1.4 km · 2 min
-
11
Merge slight left
4.3 mi · 5 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
2455 ft · 1 min · Ramp 72 J
-
13
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2827 ft · 40 sec · John MacVicar Freeway
-
14
Merge slight right
94.8 mi · 1 hr 42 min
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
-
17
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
-
18
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
-
19
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
-
20
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Knoxville 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.
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 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.
Sunny leaving Knoxville 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 Knoxville to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 164.7 miles (265.1 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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?
Menlo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.3 miles from Knoxville and 82.5 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.9 miles (230 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.8 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 1:10 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.91 one way or $43.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Knoxville and Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Menlo
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 Menlo.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Knoxville and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 142.89 mi (229.96 km).
#1 Knoxville
City in and seat of Marion County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 7,082 |
| Coordinates | 41.3208300, -93.1093700 |
| Altitude | 277 |
| 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: 265 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.91 | $43.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.71 | $49.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.04 | $54.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.82 | $61.63 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.