How far is Winfield, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Winfield, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 261 miles (420 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 230 miles (370.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 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 27m.
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.
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Winfield and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winfield and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on the route
655 ft · 49 sec
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2
Turn right onto South Locust Street
781 ft · 16 sec · South Locust Street
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3
Keep slight right
880 ft · 18 sec
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4
Turn straight onto State Highway 78
5.2 mi · 8 min · State Highway 78
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5
Turn right onto Avenue of the Saints
41.4 mi · 48 min · Avenue of the Saints
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
1327 ft · 32 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Des Moines
1.1 mi · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left
114.7 mi · 2 hr 5 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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12
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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13
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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14
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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15
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Winfield 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
Merge slight left
115 mi · 02h 05m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Winfield and Areas Of Frost then 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 Winfield to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 261 miles (420 km) and usually takes 04h 27m 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?
Bondurant is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.9 miles from Winfield and 120.1 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 230 miles (370.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 31 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 8:06 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.73 one way or $69.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Winfield and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Bondurant
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 Bondurant.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Winfield and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 229.96 mi (370.09 km).
#1 Winfield
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,073 |
| Coordinates | 41.1230800, -91.4412700 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| 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: 420 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.73 | $69.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.17 | $78.34 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.86 | $85.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.85 | $97.70 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.