How far is Melcher-Dallas, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Melcher-Dallas, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 165.7 miles (266.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.1 miles (219 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 20m 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 40m.
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 Guthrie County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Melcher-Dallas and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Melcher-Dallas and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on Northeast Main Street
141 m · 15 sec · Northeast Main Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto B Street Northwest
112 m · 10 sec · B Street Northwest
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3
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
141 m · 9 sec · 1st Street Northwest
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4
Continue on County Road S45
9.2 mi · 16 min · County Road S45
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5
Continue straight
621 ft · 8 sec
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6
Continue on State Highway 5
19.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 5
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7
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.3 mi · 14 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis
1.4 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left
4.3 mi · 5 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
2455 ft · 1 min · Ramp 72 J
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11
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2827 ft · 40 sec · John MacVicar Freeway
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12
Merge slight right
94.8 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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15
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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16
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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17
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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18
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Melcher-Dallas 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.
John MacVicar Freeway
Merge slight right
94.8 mi · 01h 42m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Melcher-Dallas and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Melcher-Dallas to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 165.7 miles (266.6 km) and usually takes 02h 40m 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?
Menlo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.8 miles from Melcher-Dallas and 83 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.1 miles (219 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.6 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 1:10 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.06 one way or $44.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Melcher-Dallas and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Menlo
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 Menlo.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Melcher-Dallas and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 136.11 mi (219.05 km).
#1 Melcher-Dallas
City in Marion County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,236 |
| Coordinates | 41.2250000, -93.2413200 |
| Altitude | 289 |
| 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: 267 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.06 | $44.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.88 | $49.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.23 | $54.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.03 | $62.06 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.