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Trip from Council Bluffs, IA to Alton, IA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

2h 34m

Distance

135.4 mi

218 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 25m ★
6 AM
2h 35m
8 AM
2h 56m
10 AM
2h 42m
12 PM
2h 40m
3 PM
2h 43m
5 PM
2h 55m
8 PM
2h 29m

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

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

Alton, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Council Bluffs, IA to Alton, IA covers 135.4 miles and takes about 2h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 29, US 20, IA 60 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 87.1 miles on I 29. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.17 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

67.7 miles from Council Bluffs, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 2h 34m highway drive covering 135.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 29 and US 20. The longest continuous stretch is about 87.1 miles on I 29.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near North 16th Street.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 34m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (North 16th Street): Navigation decision point; at 89.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These 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

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...
4
133.4 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in

Take the exit toward Alton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward Alton
4
133.8 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | 3rd Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto 3rd Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
135.4 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in

Turn right

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 Alton, 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 30.1 mi 36m
IA 60 13.2 mi 15m
3rd Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
North 16th Street 1.4 mi 2m
West Broadway 0.4 mi <1m
West 10th Street <0.1 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 Alton, 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

30 mi · 36 min · US 20; US 75
7

Continue on IA 60

13 mi · 15 min · IA 60
Toward IA 60 North: Sheldon Use the straight lane.
8

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward Alton
9

At end of road, turn right onto 3rd Avenue

1.5 mi · 2 min · 3rd Avenue
10

Turn left onto West 10th Street

156 ft · 8 sec · West 10th Street
11

Turn right

112 ft · 8 sec
12

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 67.7 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 1h 15m 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 67.7 miles or 1h 15m 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 4m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alton, 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 135.4 miles and 2h 34m.

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 29 for about 87.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 67.7 mi from Council Bluffs, IA · 1h 15m into the drive

city ​​in Woodbury and Plymouth counties in Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sioux City, IA

68 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

Sioux City, IA

Fuel and coffee

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

Sioux City, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.7 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 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.1 miles.

Arriving in Alton, IA

The final approach into Alton, 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 Alton, 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

$21.17 one way

$42.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.24 $46.48
premium $4.89 $26.06 $52.11
diesel $5.61 $29.89 $59.79

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: 47.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.6 0 $14.22 $6.50
Efficient EV 33.9 0 $11.85 $5.42
EV Truck/SUV 54.2 0 $18.96 $8.67

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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 data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Council Bluffs, IA

Late night in Council Bluffs on Wednesday

Local time

12:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Partly Sunny

S 14 to 18 mph 8% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:22AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:22AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Alton, IA

Late night in Alton on Wednesday

Local time

12:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSE 15 mph 27% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:22AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:22AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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

5 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 34m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 Alton, IA covers 135.4 miles and takes about 2h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 29, US 20, IA 60. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.7 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 $21.17 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.
This is a straightforward 2h 34m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (North 16th Street): Navigation decision point; at 89.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Council Bluffs, IA to Alton, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Le Mars along the way.

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