Origin
Audubon, IA
Night in Audubon on Wednesday
Local time
9:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Audubon, IA to Council Bluffs, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 13m
Distance
72.9 mi
117 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 8m
★
6 AM
1h 14m
8 AM
1h 25m
10 AM
1h 18m
12 PM
1h 17m
3 PM
1h 18m
5 PM
1h 25m
8 PM
1h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Audubon, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Audubon, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 72.9 miles and takes about 1h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 71, Lincoln Street, 650th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.40 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
36.4 miles from Audubon, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 13m drive with frequent turns across 72.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 71 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Audubon, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is easy. At 1h 13m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Audubon, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 71 | — | — |
| Lincoln Street | — | — |
| 650th Street | — | — |
| I 80 West | — | — |
| US 6 | — | — |
| East Kanesville Boulevard | — | — |
| East Broadway | — | — |
| West Broadway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Highway 71
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Audubon, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on South Market Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Market Street
2
Continue on Highway 71
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Highway 71
3
Continue on Lincoln Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lincoln Street
4
Continue on Highway 71
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 71
5
Continue on 650th Street
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
650th Street
6
Take the exit right
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
7
Merge slight left
32 mi
·
34 min
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
10
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
11
Continue on East Broadway
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Broadway
12
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
13
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
West Broadway
14
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.4 miles from Audubon, IA, or about 36m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 16 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.4 miles or 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Council Bluffs, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Audubon, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Audubon, IA
This is one driving day of about 72.9 miles and 1h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Audubon, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.4 mi from Audubon, IA · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.4 miles from Audubon, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Council Bluffs, IA
The final approach into Council Bluffs, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.40 one way
$22.79 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.51 | $25.03 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.03 | $28.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.10 | $32.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.65 | $3.50 |
| Efficient EV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.38 | $2.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.21 | $4.67 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Council Bluffs, IA
Night in Council Bluffs on Wednesday
Local time
9:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Avoca, IA
36 mi in
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
27 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 13m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Audubon, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 72.9 miles and takes about 1h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 71, Lincoln Street, 650th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.4 miles from Audubon, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.40 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Audubon, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is easy. At 1h 13m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Audubon, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Audubon, IA to Council Bluffs, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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