How far is Madrid, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?

The driving distance from Madrid, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 140.2 miles (225.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 113.6 miles (182.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
140.26 mi
02h 15m
Flight
113.56 mi
182.76 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Madrid.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
113.56 mi
Kilometers
182.76 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
140.26 mi
Kilometers
225.72 km
Drive Time
02h 15m

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 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Council Bluffs
Sat, Apr 18, 12:23 AM CDT
Return by in Madrid
Sat, Apr 18, 2:39 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Madrid
2026-04-17T22:08
Arrive Council Bluffs
Sat, Apr 18, 12:23 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:16 AM to 12:16 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Madrid
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Adair
IA

City in Adair and Guthrie Counties in the US state of Iowa

From Madrid
70 mi
01h 07m
To Council Bluffs
70.2 mi
01h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 21 mph S
Destination
76°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Madrid and Council Bluffs.

  1. 1

    Start on East 1st Street

    2068 ft · 39 sec · East 1st Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Kennedy Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · South Kennedy Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on State Highway 17

    1284 ft · 21 sec · State Highway 17

  4. 4

    Continue on Y Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Y Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on State Highway 17

    1387 ft · 22 sec · State Highway 17

  6. 6

    Continue on Northwest 142nd Street

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Northwest 142nd Street

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwest 142nd Street

    34 m · 2 sec · Northwest 142nd Street

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Northwest 142nd Street

    2470 ft · 43 sec · Northwest 142nd Street

  9. 9

    Take the ramp straight

    1.4 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Northwest Granger Drive

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Northwest Granger Drive

  11. 11

    Continue on Northwest 114th Street

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard

    1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard

  13. 13

    Continue on Grimes Boulevard

    3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard

  14. 14

    Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council Bluffs

    1.1 km · 1 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha

    95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska

    19.1 mi · 20 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland

    1648 ft · 31 sec

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard

    2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard

  21. 21

    Continue on East Broadway

    772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway

  22. 22

    Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard

  23. 23

    Continue on West Broadway

    1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
115 mi · 82%
Northwest 142nd Street
7.01 mi · 5%
I-35 south
3.95 mi · 3%
East Kanesville Boulevard
3.74 mi · 3%
Northwest 114th Street
2.59 mi · 2%
Southeast Grimes Boulevard
1.77 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha

95.5 mi · 01h 43m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 15m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.6 mi
113.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Adair
01h 07m from Madrid
Leave By
1:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Madrid 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 Madrid to Council Bluffs?

The road trip is about 140.2 miles (225.7 km) and usually takes 02h 15m 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?

Adair is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70 miles from Madrid and 70.2 miles from Council Bluffs.

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

The direct path is about 113.6 miles (182.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.6 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 1:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.67 one way or $37.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Madrid and Chance Rain Showers near Council Bluffs.

Stop Ideas Near Adair

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Adair, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Adair.

RAIL

Creston

55 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Osceola

90 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Omaha

111 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Madrid and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 113.56 mi (182.76 km).

Madrid

#1 Madrid

City in Iowa, United States

Population2,550
Coordinates41.8766500, -93.8232800
Altitude310
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: East 1st Street (-93.823282, 41.876815)
End: West Broadway (-95.86083, 41.261939)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 226 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.95 gal
18.73 L · about $18.67
Round trip
$37.33
9.9 gal · 37.46 L
Estimated CO2
44 kg one way
Round trip: 88 kg / 194 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.67 $37.33
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.05 $42.10
Premium $4.65 $23.04 $46.07
Diesel $5.30 $26.25 $52.51

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

There is no time difference between Madrid and Council Bluffs. The current time is 22:08:01.

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.