Trip from Council Bluffs, IA to Corydon, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 59m

Distance

204.2 mi

329 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

27 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 46m ★

6 AM

3h 59m

8 AM

4h 25m

10 AM

4h 8m

12 PM

4h 6m

3 PM

4h 10m

5 PM

4h 24m

8 PM

3h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States

Council Bluffs, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Corydon, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Council Bluffs, IA to Corydon, IA covers 204.2 miles and takes about 3h 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, I 35, State Highway 2 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 114.1 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.92 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

102.1 miles from Council Bluffs, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	114.1 mi	2h 2m
I 35	49.7 mi	53m
State Highway 2	21.6 mi	32m
US 69	9.4 mi	13m
West Kanesville Boulevard	4.2 mi	7m
120th Street	1.2 mi	2m
West Broadway	1 mi	2m
Line Street	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 114.1 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs, IA and Corydon, IA.

Start on West Broadway

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Broadway

Continue on West Broadway

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Broadway

Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard

4.2 mi · 7 min · West Kanesville Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 80

114 mi · 2 hr 2 min · I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

0.3 mi · 18 sec · I 80

Exit 123B Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Ramp 72 H

Exit 123B Toward I 35 South: Kansas City

Merge onto I 35

50 mi · 53 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Toward Webb

Turn left onto CR J14

0.2 mi · 20 sec · 120th Street

Continue on CR J14

0.7 mi · 1 min · Line Street

Continue on 120th Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · 120th Street

Turn right onto US 69

9.4 mi · 13 min · US 69

Turn left onto IA 2

0.6 mi · 53 sec · West 1st Street

Continue on IA 2

22 mi · 32 min · State Highway 2

Continue on IA 2

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Jefferson Street

Turn right onto South Franklin Street

86 ft · 3 sec · South Franklin Street

Arrive at destination

South Franklin Street

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 102.1 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.1 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 45 miles or 53m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 102.1 miles or 1h 54m 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 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Corydon, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Council Bluffs, 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 Council Bluffs, IA

This is one driving day of about 204.2 miles and 3h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Council Bluffs, 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 114.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

human settlement in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukee, IA

102 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

Avoca, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukee, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 102.1 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 114.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Adair, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 72.9

Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

Fuego Mexican restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Adair, Iowa

0.5 mi

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Council Bluffs, Iowa

0.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Playgrounds Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukee, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 116.7

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+15156446331

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

2.4 mi

Hyper Energy Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukee, Iowa

2.5 mi

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 72.9

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

Fuego Mexican restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.9

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16417422025

Visit website

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+17123228935

Visit website

The Backfield Bar & Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 43.7

Walnut, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17127842700

Visit website

Early Bird West Des Moines

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 116.7

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+15155282212

Visit website

Desi Fresh Indian Restaurant & Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 116.7

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15154109494

Visit website

Club Car Restaurant & Lounge- Clive

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 116.7

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152261729

Visit website

Stack Wellness Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 116.7

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+15159877392

Visit website

Playgrounds Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 116.7

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+15156446331

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 116.7

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15156446155

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 116.7

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15152078041

Visit website

Vintage Road Coffee Co. - MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 116.7

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13193210534

Visit website

Café Postale

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Closed

+14022845019

Visit website

Life Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 116.7

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 116.7

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+15155090915

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 29.2

Shelby, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 102.1

De Soto, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 116.7

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15152239605

Visit website

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+14026611804

Visit website

The Old Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–1:30 pm

+14023464445

Visit website

Museum Of Shadows

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 2–10 pm

+14028857557

Visit website

Lake Manawa State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 4 am–10:30 pm

+17123660220

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.2 and 169.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5.2 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

119.2 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 123B Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...

119.5 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in | Ramp 72 H

Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H toward I 35 South: Kansas City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 123B Toward I 35 South: Kansas City

119.9 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

169.6 mi into trip | ~3h 8m in

Take the exit toward Webb

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward Webb

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.92 one way

$63.85 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$35.05	$70.10
premium	$4.89	$39.30	$78.59
diesel	$5.61	$45.08	$90.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 71.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

27 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Shell Recharge Charging Station

De Soto, Iowa

Shell Recharge

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Shelby, Iowa

Tesla

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Omaha, Nebraska

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Tesla

1 DCFC

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Omaha, Nebraska

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Omaha, NE

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Electrify America Charging Station

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Electrify America

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 16 Other: 4 Shell Recharge: 3 Tesla: 2 Electrify America: 1 Blink: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	61.3	0	$21.44	$9.80
Efficient EV	51.1	0	$17.87	$8.17
EV Truck/SUV	81.7	1	$28.59	$13.07

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Council Bluffs, IA

Afternoon in Council Bluffs on Saturday

Local time

1:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Corydon, IA

Afternoon in Corydon on Saturday

Local time

1:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°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

4 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 59m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a 3h 59m highway drive covering 204.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and I 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 114.1 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 18 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 114.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 35. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 204.2 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 5.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 119.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.5 miles (Ramp 72 H): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Council Bluffs, IA and Corydon, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City and Webb.

Minneapolis

119.2 mi in | ~2h 13m | via I 80

Kansas City

119.2 mi in | ~2h 13m | via I 80

Webb

169.6 mi in | ~3h 8m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 204.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Council Bluffs, IA to Corydon, IA covers 204.2 miles and takes about 3h 59m 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 2. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 102.1 miles from Council Bluffs, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.92 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.

Between Council Bluffs, IA and Corydon, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City and Webb.

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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Corydon, IA to Council Bluffs, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

203.8 mi 3h 57m

Explore more options from Council Bluffs, IA or browse trips ending in Corydon, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.

Trip from Council Bluffs, IA to Corydon, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Chuckwagon Restaurant

Playgrounds Cafe

Chuckwagon Restaurant

Fuego Mexican restaurant

Runza Restaurant

The Backfield Bar & Grill

Early Bird West Des Moines

Desi Fresh Indian Restaurant & Cafe

Club Car Restaurant & Lounge- Clive

Stack Wellness Cafe

Playgrounds Cafe

Hyper Energy Bar

Hyper Energy Bar

Vintage Road Coffee Co. - MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center

Café Postale

Life Cafe

SweetDude Coffee & Café

Tesla Supercharger

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center

The Old Market

Museum Of Shadows

Lake Manawa State Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Council Bluffs, IA

Corydon, IA

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 59m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Council Bluffs, IA to Corydon, IA?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Council Bluffs, IA to Corydon, IA?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Council Bluffs, IA to Corydon, IA?

How this page is built

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