Trip from Council Bluffs, IA to Springville, IA

Drive Time

5h 3m

Distance

261.5 mi

421 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Spanning 261.5 miles across the heart of Iowa, this trip from Council Bluffs to Springville takes approximately 5 hours and 3 minutes of drive time. Because the journey is manageable within a single day, it serves as a straightforward transit across the Midwest rather than a multi-day expedition. You should anticipate a fuel budget of roughly $40 to complete the trek. Utilizing a blend of I-80, the Lincoln Highway, and Northeast Hubbell Road, the route offers a practical connection between these two points. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick change of scenery, this one-day itinerary provides a reliable path through the state.

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

130.8 miles from Council Bluffs, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that balances high-speed efficiency with localized navigation. Roughly 55% of your journey takes place on highways, providing a consistent pace for the majority of the trip. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 132.7 miles while cruising on I-80, which requires steady focus behind the wheel. As you transition away from the interstate portions and onto the Lincoln Highway and Northeast Hubbell Road, the character of the drive shifts from a wide-open interstate grind to a more varied, mixed-road environment. This contrast keeps the drive engaging as you navigate the different road types throughout the 261.5-mile total distance.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 25 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 132.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near I 80.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 261.5 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 5.4 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 133.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5.4 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

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

Use the none 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...

133.6 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | I 80

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.

138.1 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | US 65

Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 142 Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...

237.5 mi into trip | ~4h 31m in

Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

Towns Along This Route

Between Council Bluffs, IA and Springville, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Bondurant and Marion.

Minneapolis

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

Kansas City

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

Bondurant

138.1 mi in | ~2h 35m | via US 65

Marion

237.5 mi in | ~4h 31m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	132.7 mi	2h 24m
Lincoln Highway	37 mi	42m
Northeast Hubbell Road	33.5 mi	39m
73rd Street	26.8 mi	30m
IA 100	9.4 mi	11m
Collins Road Northeast	5.9 mi	7m
Marion Airport Road	5.7 mi	6m
West Kanesville Boulevard	4.2 mi	7m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 132.7 mi, about 2h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs, IA and Springville, 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 / none lanes.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 80

114 mi · 2 hr 2 min · I 80

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

14 mi · 16 min · I 80

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

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

4.5 mi · 5 min · I 80

Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit onto US 65

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 65

Exit 142 Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto US 65; IA 330

1.2 mi · 1 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

Continue on US 65; IA 330

33 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto US 30

37 mi · 42 min · Lincoln Highway

Continue on US 30

27 mi · 30 min · 73rd Street

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min

Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

Continue on IA 100

9.4 mi · 11 min · IA 100

Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100

5.9 mi · 7 min · Collins Road Northeast

Turn left onto US 151; IA 13

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 151; IA 13

Turn right onto US 151

5.7 mi · 6 min · Marion Airport Road

Turn left onto CR X20

509 ft · 10 sec · Springville Road

Continue on CR X20

0.2 mi · 24 sec · 6th Street

Turn right onto CR X20

0.2 mi · 25 sec · 1st Avenue

Turn left onto CR X20

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Broadway Street

Turn right onto John Street

202 ft · 10 sec · John Street

Turn right onto Water Street

56 ft · 2 sec · Water Street

Arrive at destination

Water Street

Trip Plan

Planning for a single stop is your best strategy to keep the 5-hour, 3-minute drive comfortable. Since this route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though aiming for an early start helps you avoid potential congestion on the busier highway segments. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge, especially during the long 132.7-mile stretch on I-80, to ensure you don't run low while away from services. Use your one planned stop as a genuine break to stretch your legs rather than just a quick refuel. Prioritizing this pause will help you maintain energy for the final transition onto Northeast Hubbell Road as you approach Springville.

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 130.8 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 2h 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.7 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 130.8 miles or 2h 26m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springville, 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 261.5 miles and 5h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 132.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 130.8 mi from Council Bluffs, IA · 2h 26m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Des Moines, IA

131 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.

Popular next leg

West Des Moines, IA to Springville, IA

138.4 mi · 2h 49m

Pacing Suggestions

Denison, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Des Moines, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 130.8 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 132.7 miles.

Arriving in Springville, IA

The final approach into Springville, 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 Springville, 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

$39.72 one way

$79.44 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$43.79	$87.57
premium	$4.80	$49.37	$98.73
diesel	$5.64	$58.10	$116.19

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 91.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	78.5	0	$27.46	$12.55
Efficient EV	65.4	0	$22.88	$10.46
EV Truck/SUV	104.6	1	$36.61	$16.74

Gas CO2

91 kg

EV CO2

31 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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Council Bluffs, IA

Afternoon in Council Bluffs on Sunday

Local time

1:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Springville, IA

Afternoon in Springville on Sunday

Local time

1:33 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

5h 3m 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 Council Bluffs, IA to Springville, IA covers 261.5 miles and takes about 5h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 130.8 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 $39.72 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.

Between Council Bluffs, IA and Springville, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Bondurant and Marion.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Springville, IA to Council Bluffs, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

260.2 mi 4h 59m

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

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