How far is Lake Park, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?

The driving distance from Lake Park, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 197.4 miles (317.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 154 miles (247.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
197.4 mi
03h 08m
Flight
154.05 mi
247.92 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake Park.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
154.05 mi
Kilometers
247.92 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
197.4 mi
Kilometers
317.68 km
Drive Time
03h 08m

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 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Council Bluffs
Sun, Apr 19, 6:37 AM CDT
Return by in Lake Park
Sun, Apr 19, 9:45 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake Park
2026-04-19T03:29
Arrive Council Bluffs
Sun, Apr 19, 6:37 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:44 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake Park
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Sioux City
IA

The second most populous city in Iowa.

From Lake Park
98.2 mi
01h 34m
To Council Bluffs
99.2 mi
01h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW
Destination
68°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Park and Council Bluffs.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Park and Council Bluffs.

  1. 1

    Start on North Market Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · North Market Street

  2. 2

    Continue on 135th Avenue

    1.6 km · 2 min · 135th Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 150th Street

    3.2 mi · 4 min · 150th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on State Highway 9

    9.9 mi · 13 min · State Highway 9

  5. 5

    Continue on County Highway L54

    1 mi · 1 min · County Highway L54

  6. 6

    Continue on Ia 9th Street

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Ia 9th Street

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left toward Iowa 60: LeMars

    1964 ft · 26 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    53.5 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    30.1 mi · 36 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs

    1754 ft · 23 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport

    87.9 mi · 1 hr 35 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight left

    2123 ft · 52 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on North 16th Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North 16th Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto West Broadway

    3164 ft · 1 min · West Broadway

  15. 15

    Continue on West Broadway

    1361 ft · 39 sec · West Broadway

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Park and Council Bluffs.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 29 South
88.3 mi · 45%
Iowa 60
84 mi · 43%
State Highway 9
9.9 mi · 5%
Ia 9th Street
5.57 mi · 3%
150th Street
3.21 mi · 2%
North 16th Street
1.37 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 29 South

Keep slight left to continue on I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport

87.9 mi · 01h 35m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 08m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.4 mi
154 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sioux City
01h 34m from Lake Park
Leave By
10:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Lake Park 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 Lake Park to Council Bluffs?

The road trip is about 197.4 miles (317.7 km) and usually takes 03h 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?

Sioux City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.2 miles from Lake Park and 99.2 miles from Council Bluffs.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 154 miles (247.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.4 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 10:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.28 one way or $52.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lake Park and Sunny near Council Bluffs.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake Park and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 154.05 mi (247.92 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Lake Park

City in Dickinson County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,132
Coordinates43.4555200, -95.3208300
Altitude454
CountryUnited States
Council Bluffs

#2 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Start: North Market Street (-95.320918, 43.455546)
End: West Broadway (-95.86083, 41.261939)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 318 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.97 gal
26.37 L · about $26.28
Round trip
$52.57
13.94 gal · 52.74 L
Estimated CO2
61.9 kg one way
Round trip: 123.9 kg / 273 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $26.28 $52.57
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.64 $59.29
Premium $4.65 $32.44 $64.88
Diesel $5.30 $36.97 $73.94

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

There is no time difference between Lake Park and Council Bluffs. The current time is 03:29:00.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.