How far is Oelwein, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Oelwein, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 274.5 miles (441.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225 miles (362.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 14m 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 37m.
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 Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Oelwein and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oelwein and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on South Frederick Avenue
1 km · 1 min · South Frederick Avenue
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2
Turn left onto 10th Street Southeast
820 ft · 24 sec · 10th Street Southeast
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3
Turn right onto Rock Island Road
2699 ft · 45 sec · Rock Island Road
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4
Continue on Palace Road
1.6 km · 1 min · Palace Road
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5
Continue on Jackson Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Jackson Avenue
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6
Continue on Main Street North
1.2 km · 1 min · Main Street North
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7
Continue on Jackson Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Jackson Avenue
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8
Continue on Jamestown Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Jamestown Avenue
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9
Continue on 5th Avenue Northeast
1.5 km · 1 min · 5th Avenue Northeast
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10
Turn right onto 1st Street East
647 ft · 18 sec · 1st Street East
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11
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue Southeast
1.3 mi · 2 min · 3rd Avenue Southeast
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12
Take the ramp right
2002 ft · 49 sec
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13
Merge slight left
21.2 mi · 24 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints
23.5 mi · 27 min · Avenue of the Saints
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
2083 ft · 57 sec
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16
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.5 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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17
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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18
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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19
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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20
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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21
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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22
Turn right onto 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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23
Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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24
Continue on Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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25
Turn right
35.9 mi · 43 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
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27
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
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28
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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29
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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30
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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31
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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32
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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33
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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34
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Oelwein 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.
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Oelwein and Mostly Clear near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Oelwein to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 274.5 miles (441.7 km) and usually takes 04h 37m 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 138.3 miles from Oelwein and 136.1 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 225 miles (362.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.5 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 7:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.50 one way or $73.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Oelwein and Mostly Clear 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 Oelwein and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 224.98 mi (362.07 km).
#1 Oelwein
City in Fayette County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 5,789 |
| Coordinates | 42.6733200, -91.9135000 |
| Altitude | 319 |
| 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: 442 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.50 | $73.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.17 | $82.34 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.05 | $90.10 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $51.34 | $102.69 |
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 · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.