How far is Spencer, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Spencer, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 156 miles (251 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135 miles (217.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 57m 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 58m.
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.
Human settlement in Crawford County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Spencer and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spencer and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on East 4th Street
21 m · 9 sec · East 4th Street
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2
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
2631 ft · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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3
Turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
1691 ft · 39 sec · 4th Street Southwest
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4
Turn left onto 4th Avenue Southwest
2608 ft · 56 sec · 4th Avenue Southwest
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5
Turn right onto 11th Street Southwest
2652 ft · 56 sec · 11th Street Southwest
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6
Turn left onto 11th Avenue Southwest
1.5 mi · 2 min · 11th Avenue Southwest
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7
Continue on 215th Avenue
13.4 mi · 18 min · 215th Avenue
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8
Continue on 130th Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · 130th Avenue
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9
Continue on County Highway 71
1.1 mi · 2 min · County Highway 71
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10
Continue on 130th Avenue
27.8 mi · 38 min · 130th Avenue
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11
Take the exit right toward US 20 West: Sioux City
1658 ft · 46 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto 220th Street
4.6 mi · 5 min · 220th Street
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13
Turn left onto Fox Avenue
11.3 mi · 16 min · Fox Avenue
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14
Continue on Des Moines Street
2648 ft · 1 min · Des Moines Street
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15
Continue on Fox Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Fox Avenue
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16
Continue on 400th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 400th Street
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17
Continue on State Highway 39
17.1 mi · 24 min · State Highway 39
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18
Turn left
66 m · 8 sec
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19
Turn straight onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
1746 ft · 30 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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20
Continue on 260th Street
17 mi · 23 min · 260th Street
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21
Turn right onto State Highway 37
3.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 37
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22
Continue on Railway Street
3072 ft · 1 min · Railway Street
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23
Turn left onto State Highway 191
4.3 mi · 6 min · State Highway 191
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24
Continue on Railway Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Railway Street
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25
Continue on State Highway 191
9.7 mi · 14 min · State Highway 191
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26
Continue on Iowa 191
1.3 mi · 2 min · Iowa 191
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27
Continue on 1st Street
1531 ft · 27 sec · 1st Street
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28
Continue on Railway Street
2295 ft · 54 sec · Railway Street
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29
Continue on 1st Street
1605 ft · 26 sec · 1st Street
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30
Continue on Iowa 191
4.7 mi · 6 min · Iowa 191
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31
Continue on Railroad Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Railroad Highway
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32
Take the ramp slight left toward I 880 East: Des Moines
1812 ft · 44 sec
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33
Merge slight left
1118 ft · 14 sec
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34
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs
1.2 km · 48 sec
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35
Merge slight left
18.1 mi · 19 min
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36
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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37
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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38
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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39
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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40
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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41
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Spencer and Council Bluffs.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
130th Avenue
Continue on 130th Avenue
27.8 mi · 00h 38m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Spencer and 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 Spencer to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 156 miles (251 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?
Kiron is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.9 miles from Spencer and 78.1 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135 miles (217.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 21 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 12:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.74 one way or $41.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Spencer and Partly Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Kiron
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 Kiron.
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Spencer and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 134.93 mi (217.15 km).
#1 Spencer
City in the state of Iowa (United States)
| Population | 10,989 |
| Coordinates | 43.1413600, -95.1444400 |
| Altitude | 400 |
| 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: 251 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.74 | $41.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.39 | $46.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.60 | $51.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.17 | $58.34 |
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 · Aug 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.