How far is Maquoketa, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Maquoketa, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 325 miles (523 km), with a travel time of about 04h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 273.8 miles (440.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 48m 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 54m.
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 and the county seat of Jasper County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Maquoketa and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maquoketa and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on South Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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2
Continue on 200th Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · 200th Avenue
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3
Take the ramp left toward US 61: Davenport
2168 ft · 53 sec
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4
Merge slight left
32.1 mi · 37 min
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5
Take the exit slight right
69.9 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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6
Continue straight
102 mi · 1 hr 51 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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10
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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11
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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12
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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13
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Maquoketa and Council Bluffs.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US 61
Continue straight
102 mi · 01h 51m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Maquoketa and Mostly Clear near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Maquoketa to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 325 miles (523 km) and usually takes 04h 54m 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?
Newton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162.3 miles from Maquoketa and 162.7 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 273.8 miles (440.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.25 one way or $86.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Maquoketa and Mostly Clear near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Newton
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 Newton.
Ottumwa station
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Maquoketa and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 273.84 mi (440.7 km).
#1 Maquoketa
City in Iowa, USA
| Population | 5,924 |
| Coordinates | 42.0689100, -90.6656900 |
| Altitude | 214 |
| 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: 523 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.25 | $86.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.78 | $97.56 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.38 | $106.76 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $60.84 | $121.67 |
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 · May 24, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.