How far is Winterset, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Winterset, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 118 miles (189.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 96 miles (154.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 58m 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 01h 59m.
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 Audubon County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Winterset and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winterset and Council Bluffs.
-
1
Start on West Grade Street
38 m · 11 sec · West Grade Street
-
2
Turn left onto South John Wayne Drive
3.5 mi · 7 min · South John Wayne Drive
-
3
Continue straight
9.7 mi · 13 min
-
4
Turn left onto 360th Street
3.5 mi · 5 min · 360th Street
-
5
Take the ramp left toward I-80 west: Council Bluffs
1375 ft · 34 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
78.4 mi · 1 hr 24 min
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
-
9
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
-
10
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
-
11
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
-
12
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
-
13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Winterset 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
78.4 mi · 01h 24m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Winterset and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Winterset to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 118 miles (189.9 km) and usually takes 01h 59m 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?
Brayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.4 miles from Winterset and 58.6 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 96 miles (154.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 22 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 2:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.69 one way or $31.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Winterset and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Brayton
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 Brayton.
Creston
Omaha
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Winterset and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 96 mi (154.49 km).
#1 Winterset
City in Iowa
| Population | 5,428 |
| Coordinates | 41.3308200, -94.0138400 |
| Altitude | 332 |
| 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: 190 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.69 | $31.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.69 | $35.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $19.36 | $38.72 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.06 | $44.13 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.