How far is Nashua, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Nashua, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 268.3 miles (431.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 206.6 miles (332.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 39m 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 19m.
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nashua and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashua and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on Main Street
612 ft · 32 sec · Main Street
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2
Turn left onto Sample Street
1.4 km · 1 min · Sample Street
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3
Take the ramp left
1812 ft · 50 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
6.6 mi · 8 min · Avenue of the Saints
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5
Take the exit slight right
2162 ft · 1 min
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6
Turn right onto 140th Street
6.4 mi · 9 min · 140th Street
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7
Turn left onto Spring Avenue
4 mi · 6 min · Spring Avenue
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8
Continue on North Main Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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9
Continue on State Highway 188
1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 188
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10
At the end of the road, turn right onto 210th Street
6.5 mi · 9 min · 210th Street
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11
Continue on State Highway 3
1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 3
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12
Continue on 210th Street
7.4 mi · 10 min · 210th Street
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13
Continue on South Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Street
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14
Continue on 210th Street
1.8 mi · 2 min · 210th Street
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15
Continue on State Highway 3
8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 3
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16
Continue on Central Avenue East
2.1 mi · 4 min · Central Avenue East
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17
Continue on State Highway 3
9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 3
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18
Continue on Balsam Avenue
158 m · 13 sec · Balsam Avenue
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19
Take the ramp left toward Hampton, Clarion
1610 ft · 39 sec
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20
Merge slight left
77.8 mi · 1 hr 24 min
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21
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
14.3 mi · 16 min
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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25
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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26
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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27
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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28
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nashua 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.
I 80 West
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 01h 43m
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 then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Nashua 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 Nashua to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 268.3 miles (431.8 km) and usually takes 04h 19m 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 135.5 miles from Nashua and 132.8 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 206.6 miles (332.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 61.7 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 8:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.71 one way or $71.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Nashua and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then 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 Nashua and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 206.59 mi (332.47 km).
#1 Nashua
City in Chickasaw and Floyd counties in Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,571 |
| Coordinates | 42.9527500, -92.5363000 |
| Altitude | 297 |
| 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: 432 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.71 | $71.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $40.28 | $80.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $44.07 | $88.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $50.23 | $100.46 |
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.