Origin
Clarion, IA
Afternoon in Clarion on Thursday
Local time
1:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clarion, IA to Council Bluffs, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
216.2 mi
348 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarion, IA
MART PRODUCTION
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Clarion, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 216.2 miles and takes about 3h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 220th Street, 190th Street, Somerset Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.80 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
108.1 miles from Clarion, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 216.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 23m drive with frequent turns across 216.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
220th Street 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 23m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clarion, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 220th Street | — | — |
| 190th Street | — | — |
| Somerset Road | — | — |
| I 35 South | — | — |
| I 80 West | — | — |
| US 6 | — | — |
| East Kanesville Boulevard | — | — |
| East Broadway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarion, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on Central Avenue West
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue West
2
Continue on 220th Street
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
220th Street
3
Turn right
15 mi
·
20 min
4
Turn left onto 190th Street
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
190th Street
5
Take the ramp right toward Somerset Road
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Somerset Road
6
Merge slight left
59 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
14 mi
·
16 min
·
I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
96 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
I 80 West: Omaha
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
11
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
12
Continue on East Broadway
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Broadway
13
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
14
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
West Broadway
15
Arrive at your destination
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 108.1 miles from Clarion, IA, or about 1h 41m 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 48 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.1 miles or 1h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 46m
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 Clarion, 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 Clarion, IA
This is one driving day of about 216.2 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Clarion, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.1 mi from Clarion, IA · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.1 miles from Clarion, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Council Bluffs, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.80 one way
$67.60 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $37.11 | $74.22 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.61 | $83.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.73 | $95.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.9 | 0 | $22.70 | $10.38 |
| Efficient EV | 54.1 | 0 | $18.92 | $8.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.5 | 1 | $30.27 | $13.84 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Thursday
Local time
1:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Stuart, IA
108 mi in
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
17 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
3h 23m 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 Clarion, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 216.2 miles and takes about 3h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 220th Street, 190th Street, Somerset Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 108.1 miles from Clarion, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.80 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 23m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clarion, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Clarion, IA to Council Bluffs, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Council Bluffs, IA
More from Clarion, IA
More trips to Council Bluffs, IA
Explore more options from Clarion, IA or browse trips ending in Council Bluffs, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Clarion, IA or Council Bluffs, IA on MapSof.net.