Origin
Dallas Center, IA
Late night in Dallas Center on Saturday
Local time
5:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dallas Center, IA to Council Bluffs, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 17m
Distance
119 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 8m
★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas Center, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Dallas Center, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 119 miles and takes about 2h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 6, I 80, R Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 82.4 miles on US 6. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.60 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.
Midpoint
59.5 miles from Dallas Center, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 119 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 17m highway drive covering 119 miles, with most of the trip on US 6 and I 80. The longest continuous stretch is about 82.4 miles on US 6.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 6 is the longest continuous segment at about 82.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 6 and I 80. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR R16 / 13th Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Dallas Center, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is easy. At 2h 17m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR R16 / 13th Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 7.8 miles (US 6; US 169 / Nile Kinnick Drive South): Navigation decision point; at 12.9 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR R16 / 13th Street
Turn sharp left onto CR R16 / 13th Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
3
7.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
US 6; US 169 / Nile Kinnick Drive South
Turn left onto US 6; US 169 / Nile Kinnick Drive South
Navigation decision point
5
12.9 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 6
Take the exit onto US 6 toward I-80 west: Council Bluffs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I-80 west: Council Bluffs
6
95.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebrask...
5
114.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
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 Dallas Center, IA to Council Bluffs, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.
Omaha Nebraska
95.3 mi in
|
~1h 48m
|
via I 80
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 6 | 82.4 mi | 1h 28m |
| I 80 | 19.1 mi | 20m |
| R Avenue | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| N Avenue | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| East Kanesville Boulevard | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| 290th Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Nile Kinnick Drive South | 1 mi | 1m |
| 13th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 6
— 82.4 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas Center, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on Walnut Street
32 ft
·
10 sec
·
Walnut Street
2
Turn sharp left onto CR R16
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
13th Street
3
Continue on CR R16
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
R Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 6
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
290th Street
5
Continue on US 6
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Greene Street
6
Turn left onto US 6; US 169
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Nile Kinnick Drive South
7
Continue on US 6; US 169
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
N Avenue
8
Take the exit onto US 6
82 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
US 6
Toward I-80 west: Council Bluffs
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
11
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
12
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Broadway
13
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
14
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Broadway
15
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.5 miles from Dallas Center, IA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.4 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 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.5 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Council Bluffs, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dallas Center, 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 Dallas Center, IA
This is one driving day of about 119 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Dallas Center, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 6 for about 82.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.5 mi from Dallas Center, IA · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.5 miles from Dallas Center, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 6 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.4 miles.
Arriving in Council Bluffs, IA
The final approach into Council Bluffs, 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 Council Bluffs, 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
$18.60 one way
$37.21 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.43 | $40.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.90 | $45.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.27 | $52.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.49 | $5.71 |
| Efficient EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.41 | $4.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.66 | $7.62 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Council Bluffs, IA
Late night in Council Bluffs on Saturday
Local time
5:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 17m 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 Dallas Center, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 119 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 6, I 80, R Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.5 miles from Dallas Center, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.60 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.
The drive from Dallas Center, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is easy. At 2h 17m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR R16 / 13th Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 7.8 miles (US 6; US 169 / Nile Kinnick Drive South): Navigation decision point; at 12.9 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Dallas Center, IA to Council Bluffs, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska 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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