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Trip from Council Bluffs, IA to Tripoli, IA

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

Drive Time

5h 22m

Distance

264.9 mi

426 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 9m ★
6 AM
5h 23m
8 AM
5h 49m
10 AM
5h 32m
12 PM
5h 29m
3 PM
5h 33m
5 PM
5h 48m
8 PM
5h 15m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States

Council Bluffs, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Tripoli, IA, IA

Tripoli, IA

Agung Pandit Wiguna

Trip Overview

The drive from Council Bluffs, IA to Tripoli, IA covers 264.9 miles and takes about 5h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, Northeast Hubbell Road, Sanford Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 132.7 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.41 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

132.5 miles from Council Bluffs, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 132.7 mi 2h 24m
Northeast Hubbell Road 35.2 mi 41m
Sanford Avenue 15.9 mi 21m
Larrabee Avenue 11.3 mi 13m
US 20 11.2 mi 12m
Logan Avenue 6.9 mi 8m
240th Street 6.3 mi 9m
Marsh Avenue 5.9 mi 8m
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 Tripoli, IA.

1

Start on West Broadway

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Broadway
2

Continue on West Broadway

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Broadway
3

Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard

4.2 mi · 7 min · West Kanesville Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto I 80

114 mi · 2 hr 2 min · I 80
6

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.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

4.5 mi · 5 min · I 80
Use the slight left lane.
8

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.
9

Turn left onto US 65; IA 330

1.2 mi · 1 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
10

Continue on US 65; IA 330

35 mi · 41 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
11

Turn left onto IA 330

5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
12

Continue on IA 330

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
13

Continue on IA 330

4.3 mi · 5 min · 160th Street
14

Turn left onto IA 14

16 mi · 21 min · Sanford Avenue
15

Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175

6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
16

Turn left onto M Avenue

1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
17

Continue on County Road T37

1.0 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
18

Turn sharp right onto 210th Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · 210th Street
19

Turn left onto IA 14

4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
20

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
21

Merge onto US 20

11 mi · 12 min · US 20
22

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
23

Turn left onto Grundy Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Grundy Road
24

Continue on University Avenue

3.5 mi · 4 min · University Avenue
25

Enter roundabout onto Greenhill Road

8 ft · 0 sec · Greenhill Road
26

Continue on Greenhill Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · Greenhill Road
27

Turn left onto IA 27; IA 58

2.7 mi · 3 min · Avenue of the Saints
28

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 185 Toward US 218 South: Waterloo Use the slight right lane.
29

Merge onto US 218

0.7 mi · 48 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
30

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward Broadway Street: Airport
31

Turn left onto Airport Boulevard

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Airport Boulevard
32

Turn right onto West Airline Highway

3.0 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway
33

Turn left onto US 63

6.9 mi · 8 min · Logan Avenue
34

Continue on US 63

11 mi · 13 min · Larrabee Avenue
35

Turn right onto IA 93

3.5 mi · 5 min · 170th Street
36

Continue on IA 93

0.5 mi · 50 sec · 7th Avenue Southwest
37

Turn left onto IA 93

0.4 mi · 35 sec · South Main Street
38

Arrive at destination

IA 93

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 132.5 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 2h 28m 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 58 miles or 1h 7m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 132.5 miles or 2h 28m 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 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tripoli, 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 264.9 miles and 5h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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.

city in Polk and Dallas counties, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Urbandale, IA

132 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Des Moines, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132.5 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.

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

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+17123228935

Visit website

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Avoca, Iowa

0.9 mi

Tish's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Council Bluffs, Iowa

2.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 132.5

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

Playgrounds Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukee, Iowa

2 mi

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 Embers Restaurant and Lounge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.8

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+17123432419

Visit website

Tish's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17123235456

Visit website

Apple Barrel Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17123223000

Visit website

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 75.7

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

Waveland West

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 113.5

Booneville, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15159871038

Visit website

It's My Jam Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 132.5

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15158955526

Visit website

Mercy Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+17128284200

Visit website

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 132.5

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

Playgrounds Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 113.5

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+15156446331

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

Hyper Energy Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 113.5

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15152078041

Visit website

Casey Creamery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 75.7

Casey, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16417462735

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 113.5

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15156446155

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 37.8

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

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

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Omaha, NE

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

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

University Library Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 132.5

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+15152550433

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 119.2 and 237.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
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...
6
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.
8
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...
5
211.2 mi into trip | ~4h 10m in | 210th Street

Turn sharp right onto 210th Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

7
237.2 mi into trip | ~4h 44m in

Take the exit toward US 218 South: Waterloo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 185 Toward US 218 South: Waterloo

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.41 one way

$82.83 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $45.47 $90.94
premium $4.89 $50.98 $101.96
diesel $5.61 $58.49 $116.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 79.5 0 $27.81 $12.72
Efficient EV 66.2 0 $23.18 $10.60
EV Truck/SUV 106 1 $37.09 $16.95

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Council Bluffs, IA

Afternoon in Council Bluffs on Saturday

Local time

2:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tripoli, IA

Afternoon in Tripoli on Saturday

Local time

2:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°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

15 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

5h 22m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

264.9 mi in 5h 22m — 55% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: I 80.

55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.7 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 119.2 miles in near I 80.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 264.9 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 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; at 138.1 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Tripoli, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Bondurant, Cr D18: Cedar Falls and Broadway Street: Airport.

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

Cr D18: Cedar Falls

228.3 mi in | ~4h 31m

Broadway Street: Airport

238.7 mi in | ~4h 47m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 264.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 132.7 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Tripoli, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: 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; at 138.1 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tripoli, IA before the return drive.

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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