How far is Missouri Valley, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Missouri Valley, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 23.5 miles (37.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.4 miles (32.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 26m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Missouri Valley and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Missouri Valley and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on East Erie Street
2 m · 4 sec · East Erie Street
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2
Turn right onto South 6th Street
2367 ft · 1 min · South 6th Street
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3
Continue on Loess Hills Trail
3.1 mi · 4 min · Loess Hills Trail
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4
Continue on Old Lincoln Highway
2978 ft · 49 sec · Old Lincoln Highway
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5
Turn right onto Desoto Avenue
2849 ft · 1 min · Desoto Avenue
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6
Take the ramp right
1775 ft · 43 sec
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7
Merge slight left
15.1 mi · 16 min
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8
Take the exit slight left
2123 ft · 52 sec
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9
Continue on North 16th Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North 16th Street
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10
Turn left onto West Broadway
3164 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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11
Continue on West Broadway
1361 ft · 39 sec · West Broadway
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Missouri Valley and Council Bluffs.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Desoto Avenue
Merge slight left
15.1 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Missouri Valley 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 Missouri Valley to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 23.5 miles (37.9 km) and usually takes 00h 26m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Crescent is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.4 miles from Missouri Valley and 12.2 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.4 miles (32.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.13 one way or $6.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Missouri Valley and Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Crescent
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 Crescent.
Omaha
Lincoln
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Missouri Valley and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 20.39 mi (32.82 km).
#1 Missouri Valley
City in Harrison County, Iowa
| Population | 2,576 |
| Coordinates | 41.5563800, -95.8877900 |
| Altitude | 310 |
| 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: 38 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.13 | $6.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.53 | $7.06 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.86 | $7.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.40 | $8.80 |
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.