How far is West Union, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from West Union, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 299.3 miles (481.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 238.6 miles (384 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 54m 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 57m.
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.
Human settlement in Jasper County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Union and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Union and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on North Vine Street
160 m · 28 sec · North Vine Street
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2
Turn left onto West Bradford Street
1.3 km · 1 min · West Bradford Street
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3
Continue on 230th Street
13 mi · 18 min · 230th Street
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4
Continue on 270th Street
5.5 mi · 8 min · 270th Street
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5
Continue on East Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · East Main Street
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6
Continue on 270th Street
5.6 mi · 8 min · 270th Street
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7
Take the ramp left
2080 ft · 57 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto McCloud Avenue
22.4 mi · 26 min · McCloud Avenue
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9
Continue on Logan Avenue
6.9 mi · 9 min · Logan Avenue
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10
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway
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11
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
786 ft · 21 sec · Airport Boulevard
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12
Take the ramp right toward US 218 north
2788 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
3116 ft · 41 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right
1309 ft · 32 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
1 mi · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
1.2 mi · 2 min · Avenue of the Saints
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17
Take the exit slight right toward University Avenue
1165 ft · 28 sec
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18
Keep slight right
102 m · 8 sec
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19
Turn straight onto University Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · University Avenue
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue
38 m · 3 sec · University Avenue
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21
Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue
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22
Continue on Grundy Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Grundy Road
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23
Take the ramp right
2235 ft · 54 sec
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24
Merge slight left
11.3 mi · 13 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
2083 ft · 59 sec
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26
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.5 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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27
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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28
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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29
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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30
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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31
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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32
Turn right onto 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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33
Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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34
Continue on Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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35
Turn right
35.9 mi · 43 min
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36
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
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37
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
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38
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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39
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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40
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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41
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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42
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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43
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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44
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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45
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Union 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.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving West Union and Partly Cloudy near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Union to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 299.3 miles (481.6 km) and usually takes 04h 57m 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?
Valeria is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.9 miles from West Union and 151.3 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 238.6 miles (384 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:06 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.82 one way or $79.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around West Union and Partly Cloudy near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Valeria
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 Valeria.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Union and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 238.62 mi (384.02 km).
#1 West Union
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 2,270 |
| Coordinates | 42.9627600, -91.8082200 |
| Altitude | 362 |
| 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: 482 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.82 | $79.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.91 | $89.82 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.15 | $98.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.01 | $112.02 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.