How far is State Center, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from State Center, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 171.6 miles (276.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.7 miles (239.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 30m 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 45m.
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 Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between State Center and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between State Center and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on East Main Street
4 m · 5 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto 1st Avenue South
1114 ft · 25 sec · 1st Avenue South
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3
Turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
860 ft · 24 sec · 4th Street Southwest
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4
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue Southwest
2153 ft · 43 sec · 3rd Avenue Southwest
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5
Turn left onto Lincoln Highway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Highway
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6
Turn right onto Hart Avenue
3.7 mi · 5 min · Hart Avenue
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7
Turn right onto Marshalltown Boulevard
28.2 mi · 33 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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8
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
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10
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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14
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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15
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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16
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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17
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between State Center 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.
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.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving State Center and Mostly Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from State Center to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 171.6 miles (276.1 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?
Stuart is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.1 miles from State Center and 84.4 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.7 miles (239.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.9 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 1:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.81 one way or $45.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around State Center and Mostly Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Stuart
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 Stuart.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between State Center and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 148.71 mi (239.33 km).
#1 State Center
City in Marshall County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 1,432 |
| Coordinates | 42.0166500, -93.1635400 |
| Altitude | 326 |
| 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: 276 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.81 | $45.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.73 | $51.46 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.16 | $56.31 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.09 | $64.18 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.