How far is Marion, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Marion, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 249.7 miles (401.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 226.4 miles (364.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 58m 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 03h 59m.
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.
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Marion and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on 8th Avenue
136 m · 23 sec · 8th Avenue
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2
Turn left onto 10th Street
98 m · 13 sec · 10th Street
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3
Turn right onto 7th Avenue
880 ft · 22 sec · 7th Avenue
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
31 m · 4 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
40 m · 6 sec
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6
Continue on 7th Avenue
1828 ft · 48 sec · 7th Avenue
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7
Continue on Marion Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Marion Boulevard
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8
Continue on 1st Avenue East
621 ft · 19 sec · 1st Avenue East
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9
Turn right onto Collins Road Northeast
11.2 mi · 13 min · Collins Road Northeast
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
1.2 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest
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12
Continue on 73rd Street
24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street
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13
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
1818 ft · 46 sec
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15
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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16
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
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18
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
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19
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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22
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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23
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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24
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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25
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Marion 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.
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.
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.
Sunny leaving Marion and Partly Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Marion to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 249.7 miles (401.8 km) and usually takes 03h 59m 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?
Urbandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.7 miles from Marion and 125 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 226.4 miles (364.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.3 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 9:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.22 one way or $66.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Marion and Partly Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Urbandale
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 Urbandale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Marion and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 226.45 mi (364.44 km).
#1 Marion
The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.
| Population | 40,780 |
| Coordinates | 42.0341700, -91.5976800 |
| Altitude | 259 |
| 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: 402 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.22 | $66.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.47 | $74.94 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.00 | $82.00 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.73 | $93.46 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.