How far is Lake City, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Lake City, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 120.7 miles (194.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 90.5 miles (145.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 16m 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 08m.
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake City and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake City and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on North Center Street
14 m · 4 sec · North Center Street
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2
Turn right onto West Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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3
Continue on State Highway 175
3 mi · 4 min · State Highway 175
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4
Continue on 365th Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · 365th Street
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5
Continue on 370th Street
1.6 km · 2 min · 370th Street
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6
Turn left onto Pine Street
1350 ft · 38 sec · Pine Street
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7
Continue on Yankee Avenue
23.7 mi · 34 min · Yankee Avenue
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8
Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
3 mi · 4 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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9
Turn left onto Ivy Avenue
12.1 mi · 17 min · Ivy Avenue
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10
Continue on North Market Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Market Street
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11
Continue on Highway 71
11.7 mi · 16 min · Highway 71
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12
Continue on Lincoln Street
1 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Street
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13
Continue on Highway 71
2.5 mi · 3 min · Highway 71
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14
Continue on 650th Street
2515 ft · 40 sec · 650th Street
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15
Take the exit right
2036 ft · 50 sec
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16
Merge slight left
32.5 mi · 35 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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19
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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20
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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21
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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22
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake City 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.
650th Street
Merge slight left
32.5 mi · 00h 35m
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 And Snow Showers leaving Lake City 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 Lake City to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 120.7 miles (194.3 km) and usually takes 02h 08m 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 60.3 miles from Lake City and 60.4 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 90.5 miles (145.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.2 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 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 Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Lake City and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then 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 Lake City and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 90.55 mi (145.73 km).
#1 Lake City
City in Iowa, USA
| Population | 1,642 |
| Coordinates | 42.2674800, -94.7338700 |
| Altitude | 378 |
| 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 · 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.