How far is Urbana, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Urbana, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 250.2 miles (402.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 216 miles (347.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 03m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Urbana and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Urbana and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on West Wood Street
130 m · 14 sec · West Wood Street
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2
Turn right onto Ash Avenue
1084 ft · 34 sec · Ash Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto 55th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 55th Street
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
49 m · 3 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
10.2 mi · 14 min
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6
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
1003 ft · 22 sec · West 2nd Street
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7
Turn left onto C Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · C Avenue
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8
Continue on State Highway 150
1576 ft · 27 sec · State Highway 150
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9
Continue straight
9.8 mi · 15 min
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10
Turn right onto 70th Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · 70th Street
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11
Continue on State Highway 199
540 ft · 11 sec · State Highway 199
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12
Continue on 1st Avenue
1468 ft · 35 sec · 1st Avenue
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13
Turn left onto 1st Street
773 ft · 16 sec · 1st Street
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14
Continue on 21st Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · 21st Avenue
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15
Turn right onto 73rd Street
11.4 mi · 13 min · 73rd Street
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16
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
1818 ft · 46 sec
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18
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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19
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
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21
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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25
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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26
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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27
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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28
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Urbana 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 longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Urbana 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 Urbana to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 250.2 miles (402.6 km) and usually takes 04h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Urbandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.6 miles from Urbana and 125.5 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 216 miles (347.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.30 one way or $66.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Urbana and Chance Rain Showers near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Urbandale
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 Urbandale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Urbana and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 215.98 mi (347.58 km).
#1 Urbana
City in Benton County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,498 |
| Coordinates | 42.2241600, -91.8743400 |
| Altitude | 286 |
| 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: 403 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.30 | $66.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.55 | $75.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.09 | $82.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.83 | $93.67 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.