How far is Pocahontas, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Pocahontas, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 154.2 miles (248.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 118.8 miles (191.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 48m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Crawford County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Pocahontas and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pocahontas and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on 3rd Avenue Northwest
22 m · 5 sec · 3rd Avenue Northwest
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2
Turn right onto North Main Street
1019 ft · 47 sec · North Main Street
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3
Turn right onto West Elm Avenue
2673 ft · 51 sec · West Elm Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Southwest 7th Street
2573 ft · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street
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5
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue
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6
Continue on Marengo Avenue
2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue
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7
Continue on North East Street
1.2 km · 1 min · North East Street
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8
Continue on Marengo Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue
2.1 mi · 3 min · Marshall Avenue
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10
Take the ramp right toward US 20 West
1705 ft · 47 sec
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11
Merge slight left
29.7 mi · 34 min
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12
Turn left onto Fox Avenue
11.3 mi · 16 min · Fox Avenue
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13
Continue on Des Moines Street
2648 ft · 1 min · Des Moines Street
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14
Continue on Fox Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Fox Avenue
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15
Continue on 400th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 400th Street
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16
Continue on State Highway 39
17.1 mi · 24 min · State Highway 39
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17
Turn left
66 m · 8 sec
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18
Turn straight onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
1746 ft · 30 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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19
Continue on 260th Street
17 mi · 23 min · 260th Street
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20
Turn right onto State Highway 37
3.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 37
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21
Continue on Railway Street
3072 ft · 1 min · Railway Street
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22
Turn left onto State Highway 191
4.3 mi · 6 min · State Highway 191
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23
Continue on Railway Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Railway Street
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24
Continue on State Highway 191
9.7 mi · 14 min · State Highway 191
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25
Continue on Iowa 191
1.3 mi · 2 min · Iowa 191
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26
Continue on 1st Street
1531 ft · 27 sec · 1st Street
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27
Continue on Railway Street
2295 ft · 54 sec · Railway Street
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28
Continue on 1st Street
1605 ft · 26 sec · 1st Street
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29
Continue on Iowa 191
4.7 mi · 6 min · Iowa 191
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30
Continue on Railroad Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Railroad Highway
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31
Take the ramp slight left toward I 880 East: Des Moines
1812 ft · 44 sec
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32
Merge slight left
1118 ft · 14 sec
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33
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs
1.2 km · 48 sec
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34
Merge slight left
18.1 mi · 19 min
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35
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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36
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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37
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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38
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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39
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Pocahontas 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.
US 20 West
Merge slight left
29.7 mi · 00h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Pocahontas and 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 Pocahontas to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 154.2 miles (248.2 km) and usually takes 02h 48m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Deloit is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.1 miles from Pocahontas and 77.2 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 118.8 miles (191.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.51 one way or $41.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Pocahontas and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Deloit
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 Deloit.
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Pocahontas and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 118.79 mi (191.17 km).
#1 Pocahontas
City in and county seat of Pocahontas County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,630 |
| Coordinates | 42.7355300, -94.6691500 |
| Altitude | 372 |
| 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: 248 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.51 | $41.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.14 | $46.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.32 | $50.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.85 | $57.71 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.