How far is Lake Mills, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Lake Mills, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 268 miles (431.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 190.6 miles (306.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 16m 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 04h 08m.
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 Polk County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Mills and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Mills and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on West Main Street
1.3 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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2
Continue on County Highway 105
1 mi · 2 min · County Highway 105
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3
Continue on County Road 105
1.5 mi · 3 min · County Road 105
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4
Turn right onto Bluebill Avenue
3.7 mi · 5 min · Bluebill Avenue
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5
Continue on North Western Street
1 mi · 2 min · North Western Street
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6
Turn left onto 410th Street
5.4 mi · 9 min · 410th Street
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7
Take the ramp right toward Blanco River
1709 ft · 42 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
120.9 mi · 2 hr 10 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
14.3 mi · 16 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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13
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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14
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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15
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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16
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Mills 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.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
121 mi · 02h 10m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Lake Mills and Chance Rain Showers near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Mills to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 268 miles (431.3 km) and usually takes 04h 08m 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?
Saylorville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133.9 miles from Lake Mills and 134.1 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 190.6 miles (306.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 77.4 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 8:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.67 one way or $71.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Lake Mills and Chance Rain Showers near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Saylorville
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 Saylorville.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Mills and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 190.64 mi (306.81 km).
#1 Lake Mills
City in Iowa, USA
| Population | 1,987 |
| Coordinates | 43.4194000, -93.5332700 |
| Altitude | 393 |
| 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: 431 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.67 | $71.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $40.23 | $80.47 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $44.03 | $88.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $50.18 | $100.35 |
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.