How far is Mount Pleasant, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Mount Pleasant, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 262.1 miles (421.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 224.9 miles (362 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 26m 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 04h 13m.
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.
City in Warren County and Polk County, Iowa, United States
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 Mount Pleasant and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Pleasant and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on South White Street
826 ft · 42 sec · South White Street
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2
Turn left onto West Washington Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · West Washington Street
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3
Continue on 235th Street
2.4 mi · 3 min · 235th Street
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4
Take the ramp straight toward US 34, IA 163 West: Fairfield, Ottumwa
1.1 km · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left
54.5 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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6
Continue straight
16.7 mi · 19 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IA 92: Oskaloosa, Knoxville
2175 ft · 1 min
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8
Turn left onto A Avenue West
32.4 mi · 36 min · A Avenue West
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9
Turn right
575 ft · 7 sec
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10
Continue on State Highway 5
19.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 5
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11
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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12
Keep slight left to continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis
1.4 km · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left
4.3 mi · 5 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
2455 ft · 1 min · Ramp 72 J
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15
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2827 ft · 40 sec · John MacVicar Freeway
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16
Merge slight right
94.8 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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19
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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20
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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21
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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22
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mount Pleasant 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 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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 262.1 miles (421.8 km) and usually takes 04h 13m 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?
Norwalk is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132.2 miles from Mount Pleasant and 129.9 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 224.9 miles (362 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.88 one way or $69.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Mount Pleasant and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Norwalk
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 Norwalk.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mount Pleasant and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 224.91 mi (361.96 km).
#1 Mount Pleasant
City in Henry County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 8,508 |
| Coordinates | 40.9636400, -91.5579400 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| 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: 422 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.88 | $69.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.34 | $78.68 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.05 | $86.10 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.06 | $98.12 |
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.