How far is Roland, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?

The driving distance from Roland, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 172.5 miles (277.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136.8 miles (220.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 22m 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
172.46 mi
02h 41m
Flight
136.77 mi
220.11 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Roland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
136.77 mi
Kilometers
220.11 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
172.46 mi
Kilometers
277.55 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Council Bluffs
Thu, Apr 16, 2:07 AM CDT
Return by in Roland
Thu, Apr 16, 4:48 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Roland
2026-04-15T23:25
Arrive Council Bluffs
Thu, Apr 16, 2:07 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:41 AM to 12:41 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:08 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Roland
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
Menlo
IA

Human settlement in Guthrie County, Iowa, United States of America

From Roland
86.1 mi
01h 20m
To Council Bluffs
86.3 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Today

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 11:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 mph E
Destination
57°F
Overnight

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roland and Council Bluffs.

  1. 1

    Start on East Maple Street

    2659 ft · 53 sec · East Maple Street

  2. 2

    Continue on 130th Street

    3.1 mi · 6 min · 130th Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward I-35 south: Des Moines

    1931 ft · 47 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    35.1 mi · 39 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

    14.3 mi · 16 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha

    95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min

  7. 7

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

    19.1 mi · 20 min

  8. 8

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

    1648 ft · 31 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard

    2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard

  10. 10

    Continue on East Broadway

    772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway

  11. 11

    Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard

  12. 12

    Continue on West Broadway

    1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Roland 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
13 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
115 mi · 66%
I-35 south
35.4 mi · 21%
I 35 South
14.3 mi · 8%
East Kanesville Boulevard
3.74 mi · 2%
130th Street
3.13 mi · 2%
East Maple Street
0.5 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

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 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.7 mi
136.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Menlo
01h 20m from Roland
Leave By
1:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Roland 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 Roland to Council Bluffs?

The road trip is about 172.5 miles (277.6 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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?

Menlo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.1 miles from Roland and 86.3 miles from Council Bluffs.

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

The direct path is about 136.8 miles (220.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.7 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 1:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.97 one way or $45.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Roland and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Council Bluffs.

Stop Ideas Near Menlo

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

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

RAIL

Creston

52 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Osceola

76 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Roland and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 136.77 mi (220.11 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Roland

City in Iowa

Population1,252
Coordinates42.1663700, -93.5018800
Altitude312
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: East Maple Street (-93.50188, 42.166381)
End: West Broadway (-95.86083, 41.261939)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 278 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.09 gal
23.04 L · about $22.97
Round trip
$45.93
12.18 gal · 46.08 L
Estimated CO2
54.1 kg one way
Round trip: 108.2 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.97 $45.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.90 $51.80
Premium $4.65 $28.34 $56.69
Diesel $5.30 $32.30 $64.60

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Roland and Council Bluffs. The current time is 23:25:50.

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.