How far is Muscatine, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Muscatine, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 281.2 miles (452.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 250.1 miles (402.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 41m 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 20m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Muscatine and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Muscatine and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on Walnut Street
48 m · 11 sec · Walnut Street
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2
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
110 m · 18 sec · East 3rd Street
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3
Turn right onto Mulberry Avenue
101 m · 10 sec · Mulberry Avenue
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East 2nd Street
59 m · 4 sec · East 2nd Street
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5
Exit the roundabout onto East 2nd Street
1 km · 1 min · East 2nd Street
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6
Continue on Park Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Park Avenue
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7
Continue on State Highway 38
7.6 mi · 10 min · State Highway 38
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8
Continue straight
4.9 mi · 7 min
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9
Take the ramp straight
1468 ft · 36 sec
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10
Merge slight left
146.8 mi · 2 hr 40 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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14
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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15
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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16
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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17
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Muscatine 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.
State Highway 38
Merge slight left
147 mi · 02h 40m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Muscatine and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Muscatine to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 281.2 miles (452.5 km) and usually takes 04h 20m 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?
Bondurant is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.4 miles from Muscatine and 140.7 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 250.1 miles (402.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.41 one way or $74.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Muscatine and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Bondurant
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 Bondurant.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Muscatine and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 250.13 mi (402.54 km).
#1 Muscatine
City in and county seat of Muscatine County, Iowa
| Population | 23,523 |
| Coordinates | 41.4244700, -91.0432100 |
| Altitude | 177 |
| 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: 453 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.41 | $74.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.19 | $84.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.17 | $92.34 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.62 | $105.23 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.