How far is Marcus, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Marcus, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 123.8 miles (199.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 108.1 miles (174 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 27m 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 13m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Marcus and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marcus and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on North Main Street
21 m · 8 sec · North Main Street
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2
Turn left onto East Cedar Street
2229 ft · 2 min · East Cedar Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Ames Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Ames Avenue
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4
Continue on D Avenue
17.1 mi · 23 min · D Avenue
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto 100th Street
2633 ft · 43 sec · 100th Street
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6
Turn right onto Osceola Avenue
5.4 mi · 7 min · Osceola Avenue
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7
Continue on Aspen Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Aspen Street
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8
At the end of the road, turn right onto 160th Street
3238 ft · 52 sec · 160th Street
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9
Turn straight onto State Highway 31
6.4 mi · 9 min · State Highway 31
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10
Continue on North Fox Avenue
13 mi · 19 min · North Fox Avenue
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11
Continue on Lee Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Lee Avenue
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12
Continue on County Highway L12
16.1 mi · 28 min · County Highway L12
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto Iowa Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Iowa Avenue
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14
Continue on State Highway 175
1.6 km · 2 min · State Highway 175
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15
Take the ramp left
2024 ft · 50 sec
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16
Merge slight left
55.1 mi · 59 min
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17
Take the exit slight left
2123 ft · 52 sec
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18
Continue on North 16th Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North 16th Street
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19
Turn left onto West Broadway
3164 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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20
Continue on West Broadway
1361 ft · 39 sec · West Broadway
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Marcus and Council Bluffs.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 175
Merge slight left
55.1 mi · 00h 59m
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.
Sunny leaving Marcus 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 Marcus to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 123.8 miles (199.2 km) and usually takes 02h 13m 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?
Onawa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.8 miles from Marcus and 62 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 108.1 miles (174 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.7 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 2:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.48 one way or $32.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Marcus and Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Onawa
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 Onawa.
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Marcus and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 108.09 mi (173.95 km).
#1 Marcus
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,055 |
| Coordinates | 42.8258200, -95.8075100 |
| Altitude | 445 |
| 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: 199 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.48 | $32.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.59 | $37.17 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.34 | $40.68 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.18 | $46.36 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.