How far is Palo, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Palo, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 244.6 miles (393.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 217 miles (349.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 47m 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 03h 53m.
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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palo and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palo and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on Vinton Street
26 m · 9 sec · Vinton Street
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2
Turn left onto 1st Street
2695 ft · 2 min · 1st Street
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3
Turn left onto Covington Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Covington Road
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4
Take the ramp right toward IA 100 west: To US 30
1537 ft · 38 sec
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5
Merge slight left
2.9 mi · 3 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
1.2 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest
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8
Continue on 73rd Street
24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street
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9
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
1818 ft · 46 sec
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11
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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12
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
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14
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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18
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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19
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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20
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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21
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palo 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.
Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Palo and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palo to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 244.6 miles (393.7 km) and usually takes 03h 53m 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?
Grimes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.2 miles from Palo and 122.5 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 217 miles (349.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.6 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 9:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.54 one way or $65.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Palo and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Grimes
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 Grimes.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palo and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 217.04 mi (349.3 km).
#1 Palo
City in Linn County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,075 |
| Coordinates | 42.0661100, -91.7954600 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| 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: 394 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.54 | $65.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.70 | $73.41 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.16 | $80.33 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.77 | $91.55 |
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 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.