Origin
Bellevue, IA
Late night in Bellevue on Saturday
Local time
4:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bellevue, IA to Council Bluffs, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 30m
Distance
333.9 mi
537 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 18m
★
6 AM
6h 30m
8 AM
6h 55m
10 AM
6h 39m
12 PM
6h 36m
3 PM
6h 40m
5 PM
6h 54m
8 PM
6h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellevue, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Bellevue, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 333.9 miles and takes about 6h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, US 151, Lincoln Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 120.2 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.20 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
167 miles from Bellevue, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 21m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 30m. Total distance: 333.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 30m highway drive covering 333.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and US 151. The longest continuous stretch is about 120.2 miles on I 80.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 120.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 151. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 96.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 333.9 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 96.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.2 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
96.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshall...
5
161.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
7
196.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
|
US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
7
214.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m in
|
I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
6
310.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 1m in
|
I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebrask...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bellevue, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown, Des Moines and Omaha Nebraska.
Marshalltown
96.7 mi in
|
~1h 59m
Des Moines
161.5 mi in
|
~3h 14m
Omaha Nebraska
310.3 mi in
|
~6h 1m
|
via I 80
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 120.2 mi | 2h 9m |
| US 151 | 58.1 mi | 1h 7m |
| Lincoln Highway | 37.3 mi | 43m |
| Marshalltown Boulevard | 33.7 mi | 39m |
| 73rd Street | 24.4 mi | 28m |
| Great River Road | 16.7 mi | 22m |
| IA 100 | 15.2 mi | 18m |
| US 65 | 13 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 120.2 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellevue, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on US 52
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
South Riverview Street
2
Continue on US 52
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Great River Road
3
Continue on US 52
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on US 52
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Great River Road
5
Continue on US 52
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bellevue Road
6
Turn left onto US 61; US 151; US 52
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 61; US 151; US 52
7
Take the exit onto US 151
57 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
US 151
8
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 151; IA 13
9
Turn right onto IA 100
15 mi
·
18 min
·
IA 100
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
11
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Avenue Southwest
12
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi
·
28 min
·
73rd Street
13
Continue on US 30
37 mi
·
43 min
·
Lincoln Highway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
15
Turn left onto IA 330
34 mi
·
39 min
·
Marshalltown Boulevard
16
Continue on US 65; IA 330
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
17
Take the exit onto US 65
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 80; I 35
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
96 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
22
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
23
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Broadway
24
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
25
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Broadway
26
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167 miles from Bellevue, IA, or about 3h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.2 miles.
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 73 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167 miles or 3h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 21m
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 Bellevue, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bellevue, IA
This is one driving day of about 333.9 miles and 6h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Bellevue, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 120.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 167 mi from Bellevue, IA · 3h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
167 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 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 167 miles from Bellevue, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 120.2 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Council Bluffs, IA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.20 one way
$104.40 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $57.32 | $114.63 |
| premium | $4.89 | $64.26 | $128.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $73.72 | $147.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.2 | 1 | $35.06 | $16.03 |
| Efficient EV | 83.5 | 0 | $29.22 | $13.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133.6 | 1 | $46.75 | $21.37 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Late night in Council Bluffs on Saturday
Local time
4:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
6 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
6h 30m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bellevue, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 333.9 miles and takes about 6h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, US 151, Lincoln Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 167 miles from Bellevue, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.20 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 333.9 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 96.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.2 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bellevue, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown, Des Moines and Omaha Nebraska.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Council Bluffs, IA
More trips to Council Bluffs, IA
Explore more options from Bellevue, IA or browse trips ending in Council Bluffs, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.