Origin
Centerville, IA
Afternoon in Centerville on Saturday
Local time
3:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Centerville, IA to Council Bluffs, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 19m
Distance
214.2 mi
345 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 6m
★
6 AM
4h 20m
8 AM
4h 46m
10 AM
4h 29m
12 PM
4h 26m
3 PM
4h 30m
5 PM
4h 45m
8 PM
4h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Centerville, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Centerville, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 214.2 miles and takes about 4h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, IA 5, North 18th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 113.9 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.49 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
107.1 miles from Centerville, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 113.9 mi | 2h 2m |
| IA 5 | 35.9 mi | 49m |
| North 18th Street | 20.7 mi | 30m |
| State Highway 5 | 19.2 mi | 22m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| I 35 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| East Kanesville Boulevard | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| South Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 113.9 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centerville, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on North 13th Street
164 ft
·
7 sec
·
North 13th Street
2
Continue on North 13th Street
289 ft
·
22 sec
·
North 13th Street
3
Turn right onto East State Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East State Street
4
Turn left onto IA 5
21 mi
·
30 min
·
North 18th Street
5
Continue on IA 5
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
6
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 5
25 mi
·
37 min
·
IA 5
7
Take the ramp onto IA 5
11 mi
·
12 min
·
IA 5
8
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
9
Continue on IA 5
19 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 5
10
Merge onto US 65; IA 5
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
12
Merge onto I 35
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 J
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ramp 72 J
Exit 72B
Toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 235
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
John MacVicar Freeway
15
Merge onto I 80
95 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
18
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
19
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Broadway
20
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
21
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Broadway
22
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 107.1 miles from Centerville, IA, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.9 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 47 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.1 miles or 2h 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 3h 34m
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 Centerville, 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 Centerville, IA
This is one driving day of about 214.2 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Centerville, 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 113.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.1 miles from Centerville, 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 113.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 77.2 and 190.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
77.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
|
US 65; IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Merge onto US 65; IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
89.5 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
5
90.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
94.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
Ramp 72 J
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 J toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 72B
Toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
6
190.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.49 one way
$66.98 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.77 | $73.54 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.22 | $82.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.29 | $94.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.49 | $10.28 |
| Efficient EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.74 | $8.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.7 | 1 | $29.99 | $13.71 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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
Afternoon in Council Bluffs on Saturday
Local time
3:50 PM
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
19 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 19m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
214.2 mi in 4h 19m, mostly highway — 113.9 mi of that is on I 80.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.9 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and IA 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 77.2 miles in near US 65; IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 214.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 77.2 miles (US 65; IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 90.4 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Centerville, IA to Council Bluffs, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.
Omaha Nebraska
190.6 mi in
|
~3h 50m
|
via I 80
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 214.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.9 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Council Bluffs, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 77.2 miles (US 65; IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 90.4 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Council Bluffs, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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
Return Trip
Council Bluffs, IA to Centerville, IAPlan the drive back the other way.
214.1 mi
4h 20m
Continue From Council Bluffs, IA
More trips to Council Bluffs, IA
Explore more options from Centerville, IA or browse trips ending in Council Bluffs, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.