Origin
Denver, IA
Night in Denver on Tuesday
Local time
10:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Denver, IA to Council Bluffs, IA
Data updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
249.6 mi
402 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 2m
8 AM
5h 29m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 9m
3 PM
5h 13m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Denver, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Denver, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 249.6 miles and takes about 5h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, IA 330, Sanford Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 120.2 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.02 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
124.8 miles from Denver, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 5h 2m highway drive covering 249.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and IA 330. The longest continuous stretch is about 120.2 miles on I 80.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 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 120.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and IA 330. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 249.6 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 12.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.8 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
12.1 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the ramp toward US 218 north
Navigation decision point
Toward US 218 north
6
13.4 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
7
111.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
|
US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
7
130.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
|
I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
6
225.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 33m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Denver, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Uni, Grundy Center and Omaha Nebraska.
Uni
13.4 mi in
|
~19m
Grundy Center
33.8 mi in
|
~46m
Omaha Nebraska
225.9 mi in
|
~4h 33m
|
via I 80
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 120.2 mi | 2h 9m |
| IA 330 | 35.9 mi | 42m |
| Sanford Avenue | 15.9 mi | 21m |
| US 65 | 13 mi | 15m |
| US 20 | 11.3 mi | 13m |
| Logan Avenue | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| 240th Street | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Marsh Avenue | 5.9 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 120.2 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denver, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on CR C50
40 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Fayette Street
2
Turn right onto State Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 63
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Larrabee Avenue
4
Continue on US 63
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Logan Avenue
5
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
West Airline Highway
6
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 218 north
8
Merge onto US 218
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
9
Take the exit onto US 218
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 218
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
11
Merge onto IA 27; IA 58
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 183
Toward University Avenue
13
Keep slight right at fork
333 ft
·
8 sec
14
Turn straight onto University Avenue
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
University Avenue
15
Enter roundabout onto University Avenue
124 ft
·
2 sec
·
University Avenue
16
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
University Avenue
17
Continue on Grundy Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Grundy Road
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Use the right lane.
19
Merge onto US 20
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US 20
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
21
Turn left onto IA 14
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
N Avenue
22
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Street
23
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road T37
24
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
M Avenue
25
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
240th Street
26
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Sanford Avenue
27
Turn right onto IA 330
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
160th Street
28
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 330
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
29
Continue on IA 330
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Marsh Avenue
30
Turn right onto IA 330
36 mi
·
42 min
·
IA 330
31
Take the exit onto US 65
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 80; I 35
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
96 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
36
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
37
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Broadway
38
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
39
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Broadway
40
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
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 124.8 miles from Denver, IA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.2 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 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.8 miles or 2h 43m 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 10m
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 Denver, 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 Denver, IA
This is one driving day of about 249.6 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Denver, 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 120.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.8 mi from Denver, IA · 2h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124.8 miles from Denver, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 120.2 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.
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
$39.02 one way
$78.04 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $42.84 | $85.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $48.03 | $96.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.11 | $110.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.9 | 0 | $26.21 | $11.98 |
| Efficient EV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.84 | $9.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.8 | 1 | $34.94 | $15.97 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Destination
Council Bluffs, IA
Night in Council Bluffs on Tuesday
Local time
10:15 PM
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
8 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 2m 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 Denver, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 249.6 miles and takes about 5h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, IA 330, Sanford 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 124.8 miles from Denver, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.02 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 249.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.8 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Denver, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Uni, Grundy Center and Omaha Nebraska.
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