Origin
Council Bluffs, IA
Night in Council Bluffs on Friday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Council Bluffs, IA to Remsen, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 33m
Distance
131.4 mi
211 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Remsen, IA
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
Council Bluffs, IA to Remsen, IA is 131.4 miles and takes about 2h 33m via I 29 and US 20, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, one-day journey primarily through the Midwest region of Iowa. With a highway share of 85%, you'll spend most of your time on faster roads. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours. The relatively short distance and manageable duration make it a practical option for a quick trip.
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
65.7 miles from Council Bluffs, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 131.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 85% of the route being on highways. You'll experience an 87.1-mile stretch on I 29, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. This long stretch on the interstate means you can settle in and cover ground efficiently. The profile suggests a generally smooth driving experience, transitioning from interstate to US highways, which should provide a predictable and easy-to-navigate path. The drive is designed for covering distance rather than winding through picturesque backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 87.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 29 and US 20. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near North 16th Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Council Bluffs, IA to Remsen, IA is easy. At 2h 33m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (North 16th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (I 29): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 89.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North 16th Street
Turn right onto North 16th Street
Navigation decision point
3
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 29
Merge onto I 29
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
89.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward US 20 East, US 75 North: Fort Dodge, Le Mars
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 20 East, US 75 North: Fort Dodge, Le...
3
90 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
US 20; US 75
Merge onto US 20; US 75
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
130.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
|
IA 3 / State Highway 3
Turn right onto IA 3 / State Highway 3
Navigation decision point
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 Council Bluffs, IA to Remsen, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Le Mars along the way.
Le Mars
89.3 mi in
|
~1h 38m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 87.1 mi | 1h 33m |
| US 20 | 24.9 mi | 30m |
| County Road C38 | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| 210th Street | 5 mi | 6m |
| County Road L12 | 4 mi | 5m |
| North 16th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| C38 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Washington Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 29
— 87.1 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs, IA and Remsen, IA.
1
Start on West Broadway
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
West Broadway
2
Turn right onto North 16th Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North 16th Street
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
4
Merge onto I 29
87 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
I 29
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 20 East, US 75 North: Fort Dodge, Le Mars
6
Merge onto US 20; US 75
25 mi
·
30 min
·
US 20; US 75
7
Turn right onto CR C38
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
County Road C38
8
Continue on CR C38
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
210th Street
9
Continue on CR C38
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
CR C38
10
Turn left onto Quest Avenue
249 ft
·
3 sec
·
Quest Avenue
11
Continue on County Road L12
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road L12
12
Turn right onto IA 3
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
State Highway 3
13
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
14
Arrive at destination
South Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 33m duration, this is a perfect same-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You might consider leaving Council Bluffs in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight for the entire drive. There's only one listed stop, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, keeping in mind the longest stretch is 87.1 miles. It would be wise to refuel before departing Council Bluffs or at the first available exit after leaving the interstate. Pay attention to signs for County Road C38 as you transition off the main highways, as this segment will likely be a change in road type.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.7 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.1 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 29 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.7 miles or 1h 12m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Remsen, 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 131.4 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 29 for about 87.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.7 mi from Council Bluffs, IA · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.7 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.1 miles.
Arriving in Remsen, IA
The final approach into Remsen, 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 Remsen, 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
$20.54 one way
$41.09 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.56 | $45.11 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.29 | $50.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.01 | $58.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.80 | $6.31 |
| Efficient EV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.50 | $5.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.6 | 0 | $18.40 | $8.41 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Remsen, IA
Night in Remsen on Friday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 33m 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 Council Bluffs, IA to Remsen, IA covers 131.4 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 29, US 20, County Road C38. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65.7 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 $20.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Council Bluffs, IA to Remsen, IA is easy. At 2h 33m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (North 16th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (I 29): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 89.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Council Bluffs, IA to Remsen, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Le Mars along the way.
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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