How far is Mount Vernon, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Mount Vernon, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 256.6 miles (412.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 234.1 miles (376.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 15m 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 07m.
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 Polk County, 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 Mount Vernon and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Vernon and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on the route
23 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn left
20 m · 11 sec
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3
Turn left onto 1st Street East
70 m · 14 sec · 1st Street East
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4
Turn left onto 1st Avenue South
2046 ft · 35 sec · 1st Avenue South
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5
Continue on State Highway 1
690 ft · 20 sec · State Highway 1
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 1
37 m · 6 sec · State Highway 1
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7
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 1
5.3 mi · 7 min · State Highway 1
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8
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
3.2 mi · 4 min · Highway 1 Northeast
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9
Continue on North Market Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · North Market Street
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10
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
7.5 mi · 10 min · Highway 1 Northeast
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11
Continue on North Dodge Street
2471 ft · 56 sec · North Dodge Street
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12
Take the ramp right
1709 ft · 42 sec
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13
Merge slight left
122.2 mi · 2 hr 13 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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17
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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18
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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19
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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20
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mount Vernon and Council Bluffs.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
North Dodge Street
Merge slight left
122 mi · 02h 13m
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 Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 256.6 miles (412.9 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?
Saylorville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 129.8 miles from Mount Vernon and 126.8 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 234.1 miles (376.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.5 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 8:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.13 one way or $68.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mount Vernon and Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Saylorville
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 Saylorville.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mount Vernon and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 234.1 mi (376.74 km).
#1 Mount Vernon
City in Linn County, Iowa
| Population | 4,528 |
| Coordinates | 41.9219500, -91.4168400 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| 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: 413 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.13 | $68.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.49 | $76.98 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.12 | $84.24 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.00 | $96.00 |
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.