How far is Marshalltown, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Marshalltown, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 179.1 miles (288.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 161.9 miles (260.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 40m 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 50m.
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.
Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America
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 Marshalltown and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marshalltown and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on North 3rd Avenue
31 m · 6 sec · North 3rd Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East Main Street
2675 ft · 59 sec · East Main Street
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3
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
2231 ft · 46 sec · South 3rd Street
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4
Turn right onto West Madison Street
1644 ft · 33 sec · West Madison Street
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5
Turn straight onto West Lincolnway
2.2 mi · 4 min · West Lincolnway
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6
Continue on Marshalltown Boulevard
2.1 mi · 4 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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7
Continue straight
35.9 mi · 43 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
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9
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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13
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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14
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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15
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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16
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Marshalltown 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 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 Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 179.1 miles (288.2 km) and usually takes 02h 50m 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?
Stuart is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.5 miles from Marshalltown and 89.6 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 161.9 miles (260.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.83 one way or $47.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Marshalltown and Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Stuart
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 Stuart.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Marshalltown and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 161.84 mi (260.46 km).
#1 Marshalltown
City in Marshal County, Iowa
| Population | 26,736 |
| Coordinates | 42.0494300, -92.9079800 |
| Altitude | 287 |
| 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: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.83 | $47.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.88 | $53.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.41 | $58.83 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.52 | $67.04 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.