How far is Rockwell City, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?

The driving distance from Rockwell City, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 135.2 miles (217.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 100.6 miles (161.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 52m 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
135.23 mi
02h 26m
Flight
100.61 mi
161.91 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rockwell City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
100.61 mi
Kilometers
161.91 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
135.23 mi
Kilometers
217.63 km
Drive Time
02h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Council Bluffs
Sat, Apr 18, 1:52 AM CDT
Return by in Rockwell City
Sat, Apr 18, 4:18 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rockwell City
2026-04-17T23:26
Arrive Council Bluffs
Sat, Apr 18, 1:52 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:26 AM to 12:26 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rockwell City
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
Exira
IA

Township in Audubon County, Iowa

From Rockwell City
67.3 mi
01h 13m
To Council Bluffs
67.9 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Friday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 22 mph SSW
Destination
76°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Rockwell City and Council Bluffs.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rockwell City and Council Bluffs.

  1. 1

    Start on 4th Street

    1375 ft · 1 min · 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Tonawanda Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · Tonawanda Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Norridge Avenue

    8.6 mi · 12 min · Norridge Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 360th Street

    3 mi · 4 min · 360th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on East Main Street

    2.1 mi · 3 min · East Main Street

  6. 6

    Continue on State Highway 175

    3 mi · 4 min · State Highway 175

  7. 7

    Continue on 365th Street

    3.1 mi · 5 min · 365th Street

  8. 8

    Continue on 370th Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · 370th Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Pine Street

    1350 ft · 38 sec · Pine Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Yankee Avenue

    23.7 mi · 34 min · Yankee Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

    3 mi · 4 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Ivy Avenue

    12.1 mi · 17 min · Ivy Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on North Market Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · North Market Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Highway 71

    11.7 mi · 16 min · Highway 71

  15. 15

    Continue on Lincoln Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Highway 71

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Highway 71

  17. 17

    Continue on 650th Street

    2515 ft · 40 sec · 650th Street

  18. 18

    Take the exit right

    2036 ft · 50 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    32.5 mi · 35 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska

    19.1 mi · 20 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland

    1648 ft · 31 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard

    2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard

  23. 23

    Continue on East Broadway

    772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway

  24. 24

    Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard

  25. 25

    Continue on West Broadway

    1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockwell City and Council Bluffs.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
26 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
650th Street
33.3 mi · 25%
Yankee Avenue
23.7 mi · 18%
I 80 West
19.1 mi · 14%
Highway 71
14.3 mi · 11%
Ivy Avenue
12.1 mi · 9%
Norridge Avenue
8.56 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

650th Street

Merge slight left

32.5 mi · 00h 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 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.6 mi
100.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Exira
01h 13m from Rockwell City
Leave By
1:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rockwell City and Chance Rain Showers near Council Bluffs.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Rockwell City to Council Bluffs?

The road trip is about 135.2 miles (217.6 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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?

Exira is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.3 miles from Rockwell City and 67.9 miles from Council Bluffs.

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

The direct path is about 100.6 miles (161.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.99 one way or $35.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Rockwell City and Chance Rain Showers near Council Bluffs.

Stop Ideas Near Exira

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Exira, 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 Exira.

RAIL

Creston

73 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Omaha

96 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Osceola

111 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rockwell City and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 100.61 mi (161.91 km).

Rockwell City

#1 Rockwell City

City in and county seat of Calhoun County, Iowa, United States

Population2,082
Coordinates42.3952600, -94.6338700
Altitude375
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: 4th Street (-94.633467, 42.395262)
End: West Broadway (-95.86083, 41.261939)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 218 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.77 gal
18.06 L · about $17.99
Round trip
$35.98
9.54 gal · 36.12 L
Estimated CO2
42.4 kg one way
Round trip: 84.8 kg / 187 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.99 $35.98
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.29 $40.57
Premium $4.65 $22.20 $44.40
Diesel $5.30 $25.30 $50.60

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

There is no time difference between Rockwell City and Council Bluffs. The current time is 23:26:23.

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.