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Trip from Eagle Grove, 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

4h 5m

Distance

188.5 mi

303 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 52m ★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 12m
3 PM
4h 16m
5 PM
4h 30m
8 PM
3h 58m

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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Downtown Eagle Grove, IA, IA

Eagle Grove, IA

Tom Fisk

city and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States

Council Bluffs, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Eagle Grove, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 188.5 miles and takes about 4h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 20, I 80, Fox Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 69 miles on US 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.99 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

94.2 miles from Eagle Grove, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 188.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (68%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 5m highway drive covering 188.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 20 and I 80. The longest continuous stretch is about 69 miles on US 20.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 69 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 80. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Commercial Avenue.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 5m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Commercial Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.5 miles (CR D20; IA 17; CR D20 / 220th Street): Navigation decision point; at 84.7 miles (M43 / Fox Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Commercial Avenue

Turn left onto South Commercial Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
13.5 mi into trip | ~20m in | CR D20; IA 17; CR D20 / 220th Street

At end of road, turn left onto CR D20; IA 17; CR D20 / 220th Street

Navigation decision point

6
84.7 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in | M43 / Fox Avenue

Turn left onto M43 / Fox Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
165 mi into trip | ~3h 36m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 16B Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
5
183.9 mi into trip | ~3h 56m 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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 20 69 mi 1h 19m
I 80 18.1 mi 19m
Fox Avenue 17.2 mi 23m
State Highway 39 17.1 mi 23m
260th Street 17 mi 23m
State Highway 191 14 mi 19m
Stagecoach Road 7.4 mi 11m
State Highway 17 6.7 mi 9m
Longest stretch: US 20 — 69 mi, about 1h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Eagle Grove, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.

1

Start on West Broadway Street

30 ft · 8 sec · West Broadway Street
2

Turn left onto South Commercial Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Commercial Avenue
3

Continue on IA 17

6.7 mi · 9 min · State Highway 17
4

Continue on IA 17

5.9 mi · 8 min · Stagecoach Road
5

At end of road, turn left onto CR D20; IA 17; CR D20

0.4 mi · 37 sec · 220th Street
6

Turn right onto IA 17

1.5 mi · 2 min · Stagecoach Road
7

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward US 20 West
8

Merge onto US 20

69 mi · 1 hr 19 min · US 20
9

Turn left onto M43

11 mi · 15 min · Fox Avenue
Use the left lane.
10

Continue on IA 39

0.5 mi · 1 min · Des Moines Street
11

Continue on IA 39

5.9 mi · 8 min · Fox Avenue
12

Continue on IA 39

0.7 mi · 1 min · 400th Street
13

Continue on IA 39

17 mi · 23 min · State Highway 39
14

Turn left

217 ft · 9 sec
15

Turn straight onto US 59; IA 141

0.3 mi · 29 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
16

Continue on US 59; IA 141

17 mi · 23 min · 260th Street
17

Turn right onto IA 37

3.5 mi · 4 min · State Highway 37
18

Continue on IA 37

0.6 mi · 1 min · Railway Street
19

Turn left onto IA 191

4.3 mi · 5 min · State Highway 191
20

Continue on IA 191

0.9 mi · 1 min · Railway Street
21

Continue on IA 191

9.7 mi · 13 min · State Highway 191
22

Continue on IA 191

1.3 mi · 1 min · Iowa 191
23

Continue on IA 191

0.3 mi · 26 sec · 1st Street
24

Continue on IA 191

0.4 mi · 53 sec · Railway Street
25

Continue on IA 191

0.3 mi · 25 sec · 1st Street
26

Continue on IA 191

4.7 mi · 6 min · Iowa 191
27

Continue on IA 191

0.8 mi · 1 min · Railroad Highway
28

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
29

Merge onto I 880

0.2 mi · 13 sec · I 880
30

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 48 sec
Exit 16B Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Merge onto I 80

18 mi · 19 min · I 80
32

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
33

Turn straight onto IA 906

2.8 mi · 4 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
34

Continue on IA 906

0.1 mi · 20 sec · East Broadway
35

Continue on IA 906

0.9 mi · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
36

Continue on West Broadway

0.4 mi · 50 sec · West Broadway
37

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 94.2 miles from Eagle Grove, IA, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69 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 41 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 94.2 miles or 1h 56m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 21m

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 Eagle Grove, 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 Eagle Grove, IA

This is one driving day of about 188.5 miles and 4h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Eagle Grove, 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 US 20 for about 69 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 94.2 mi from Eagle Grove, IA · 1h 56m into the drive

city in Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Denison, IA

94 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

Fort Dodge, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ida Grove, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94.2 miles from Eagle Grove, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 188.5

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+17123228935

Visit website

Tish's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Council Bluffs, Iowa

2.2 mi

Apple Barrel Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Council Bluffs, Iowa

2.1 mi

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 188.5

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+17123228935

Visit website

Tish's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 188.5

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17123235456

Visit website

Apple Barrel Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 188.5

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17123223000

Visit website

Mercy Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 188.5

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+17128284200

Visit website

Durham TreeTops Restaurant

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 188.5

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+14027338401

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 188.5

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 188.5

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 80.8

Early, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 188.5

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 13.5

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 13.5

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 188.5

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 26.9

Fort Dodge, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 188.5

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 188.5

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 188.5

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+14026611804

Visit website

The Old Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 188.5

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–1:30 pm

+14023464445

Visit website

Museum Of Shadows

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 188.5

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 2–10 pm

+14028857557

Visit website

Lake Manawa State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 188.5

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 4 am–10:30 pm

+17123660220

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.99 one way

$55.97 round trip

$3.77/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $31.56 $63.13
premium $4.65 $34.54 $69.08
diesel $5.30 $39.36 $78.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 66 kg one way.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56.6 0 $19.79 $9.05
Efficient EV 47.1 0 $16.49 $7.54
EV Truck/SUV 75.4 0 $26.39 $12.06

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Eagle Grove, IA

Late night in Eagle Grove on Saturday

Local time

5:24 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Council Bluffs, IA

Late night in Council Bluffs on Saturday

Local time

5:24 AM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Denison, IA

94 mi in

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

16 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

4h 5m 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 Eagle Grove, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 188.5 miles and takes about 4h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 20, I 80, Fox 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 94.2 miles from Eagle Grove, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.99 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 straightforward 4h 5m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Commercial Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.5 miles (CR D20; IA 17; CR D20 / 220th Street): Navigation decision point; at 84.7 miles (M43 / Fox Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Eagle Grove, IA to Council Bluffs, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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