Origin
Clarksville, IA
Late night in Clarksville on Saturday
Local time
5:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clarksville, 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
4h 51m
Distance
252.2 mi
406 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 38m
★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 58m
3 PM
5h 2m
5 PM
5h 17m
8 PM
4h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarksville, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Clarksville, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is 252.2 miles and takes about 4h 51m via I 80, I 35, and State Highway 3, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within the Midwest, traveling entirely within Iowa on a predominantly highway-focused drive. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey. You'll be spending most of your time on major interstates, making for a straightforward and efficient trip. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct path between these two Iowa points without extensive detours.
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
126.1 miles from Clarksville, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 252.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is characterized by its 90% highway share, meaning you'll be on fast-paced interstates for the vast majority of your journey. Expect a highway-focused profile with stretches designed for consistent speed. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 114.6 miles on I 80, so be prepared for an extended period of steady driving. While the primary roads are I 80, I 35, and State Highway 3, the overall feel is that of a typical interstate commute, prioritizing efficiency over scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 114.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 35. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 40.7 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 252.2 miles you will encounter 8 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 40.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.8 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
40.7 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the ramp toward Hampton, Clarion
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Hampton, Clarion
5
41 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
118.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
|
I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
7
133.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m 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
228.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m 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 Clarksville, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Hampton, Clarion, Davenport and Omaha Nebraska.
Hampton
40.7 mi in
|
~57m
Clarion
40.7 mi in
|
~57m
Davenport
118.8 mi in
|
~2h 22m
|
via I 35
Omaha Nebraska
228.6 mi in
|
~4h 21m
|
via I 80
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 114.6 mi | 2h 3m |
| I 35 | 92.1 mi | 1h 40m |
| State Highway 3 | 18.2 mi | 25m |
| 210th Street | 15.7 mi | 21m |
| East Kanesville Boulevard | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Central Avenue East | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| State Highway 188 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 114.6 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on East Superior Street
37 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Superior Street
2
Turn left onto IA 188
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
3
Continue on State Highway 188
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 188
4
At end of road, turn right onto IA 3
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
210th Street
5
Continue on IA 3; IA 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 3
6
Continue on IA 3
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
210th Street
7
Continue on IA 3
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Street
8
Continue on IA 3
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
210th Street
9
Continue on IA 3
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 3
10
Continue on IA 3
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Central Avenue East
11
Continue on IA 3
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 3
12
Continue on IA 3
517 ft
·
13 sec
·
Balsam Avenue
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Hampton, Clarion
14
Merge onto I 35
78 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
14 mi
·
16 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
19
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
20
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Broadway
21
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
22
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Broadway
23
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 5 hours, this is definitely a one-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Council Bluffs comfortably. You'll have one recommended stop, but with the longest stretch being over 100 miles, plan for a fuel and rest break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 114.6-mile segment on I 80, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The $39 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you go.
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 126.1 miles from Clarksville, IA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.6 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 55 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.1 miles or 2h 31m 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 58m
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 Clarksville, 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 Clarksville, IA
This is one driving day of about 252.2 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Clarksville, 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 114.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.1 mi from Clarksville, IA · 2h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.1 miles from Clarksville, 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 114.6 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
$39.43 one way
$78.86 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $43.29 | $86.58 |
| premium | $4.89 | $48.53 | $97.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.68 | $111.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.7 | 0 | $26.48 | $12.11 |
| Efficient EV | 63.1 | 0 | $22.07 | $10.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.9 | 1 | $35.31 | $16.14 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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
Late night in Council Bluffs on Saturday
Local time
5:48 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
8 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
4h 51m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clarksville, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 252.2 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 35, State Highway 3. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126.1 miles from Clarksville, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.43 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 252.2 miles you will encounter 8 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 40.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.8 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Clarksville, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Hampton, Clarion, Davenport 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.
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