How far is Rock Valley, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?

The driving distance from Rock Valley, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 154.2 miles (248.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136.1 miles (219 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
154.21 mi
02h 30m
Flight
136.09 mi
219.02 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rock Valley.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
136.09 mi
Kilometers
219.02 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
154.21 mi
Kilometers
248.17 km
Drive Time
02h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Council Bluffs
Thu, Apr 30, 1:27 PM CDT
Return by in Rock Valley
Thu, Apr 30, 3:58 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rock Valley
2026-04-30T10:56
Arrive Council Bluffs
Thu, Apr 30, 1:27 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:31 AM to 12:31 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:28 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rock Valley
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Sloan
IA

Human settlement in Woodbury County, Iowa, USA

From Rock Valley
75.3 mi
01h 15m
To Council Bluffs
78.9 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNE
Destination
61°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Rock Valley and Council Bluffs.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rock Valley and Council Bluffs.

  1. 1

    Start on 15th Street

    9 m · 3 sec · 15th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 16th Avenue

    3127 ft · 2 min · 16th Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Elmwood Avenue

    7.8 mi · 11 min · Elmwood Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 390th Street

    1 mi · 1 min · 390th Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Eagle Avenue

    7.5 mi · 11 min · Eagle Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on Maple Avenue

    2820 ft · 1 min · Maple Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on Eagle Avenue

    4 mi · 5 min · Eagle Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on Impala Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Impala Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on County Road K30

    1371 ft · 41 sec · County Road K30

  10. 10

    Turn left onto 110th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 110th Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto County Road K42

    10 mi · 14 min · County Road K42

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road C38

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road C38

  13. 13

    Turn right onto County Road K42

    1.7 mi · 2 min · County Road K42

  14. 14

    Continue on 5th Street

    1787 ft · 1 min · 5th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Main Street

    692 ft · 26 sec · Main Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 3rd Street

    3031 ft · 1 min · 3rd Street

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    21.4 mi · 26 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs

    1754 ft · 23 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport

    87.9 mi · 1 hr 35 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight left

    2123 ft · 52 sec

  21. 21

    Continue on North 16th Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North 16th Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto West Broadway

    3164 ft · 1 min · West Broadway

  23. 23

    Continue on West Broadway

    1361 ft · 39 sec · West Broadway

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rock Valley and Council Bluffs.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 29 South
88.3 mi · 57%
3rd Street
22 mi · 14%
County Road K42
11.7 mi · 8%
Eagle Avenue
11.5 mi · 7%
Elmwood Avenue
7.77 mi · 5%
110th Street
1.99 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 29 South

Keep slight left to continue on I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport

87.9 mi · 01h 35m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.1 mi
136.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sloan
01h 15m from Rock Valley
Leave By
1:28 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Rock Valley 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 Rock Valley to Council Bluffs?

The road trip is about 154.2 miles (248.2 km) and usually takes 02h 30m 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?

Sloan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.3 miles from Rock Valley and 78.9 miles from Council Bluffs.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 136.1 miles (219 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:28 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 Slight Chance Rain Showers around Rock Valley and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny near Council Bluffs.

Stop Ideas Near Sloan

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Sloan, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sloan.

RAIL

Omaha

112 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rock Valley and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 136.09 mi (219.02 km).

Rock Valley

#1 Rock Valley

City in Sioux County, Iowa, United States of America

Population3,901
Coordinates43.2052600, -96.2950300
Altitude381
CountryUnited States
Council Bluffs

#2 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Start: 15th Street (-96.29503, 43.205188)
End: West Broadway (-95.86083, 41.261939)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 248 km by road

SpeedTime
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.

One-way fuel
5.44 gal
20.6 L · about $20.51
Round trip
$41.03
10.88 gal · 41.2 L
Estimated CO2
48.3 kg one way
Round trip: 96.7 kg / 213 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound 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 · Apr 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Rock Valley and Council Bluffs. The current time is 10:56:45.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.