The drive from Epworth, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 307.9 miles and takes about 6h 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, US 151, Lincoln Highway 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 $48.14 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
154 miles from Epworth, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 9m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 307.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 2m highway drive covering 307.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and US 151. 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 28 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 US 151. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 307.9 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 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 170.2 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 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the ramp toward US 20 West, US 52 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 20 West, US 52 North
5
3.8 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward CR Y13: Farley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 300
Toward CR Y13: Farley
7
170.2 mi into trip|~3h 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
188.7 mi into trip|~3h 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
284.3 mi into trip|~5h 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 Epworth, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown, Des Moines and Omaha Nebraska.
Marshalltown
70.7 mi in|~1h 32m
Des Moines
135.5 mi in|~2h 47m
Omaha Nebraska
284.3 mi in|~5h 33m|via I 80
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
120.2 mi
2h 9m
US 151
39.9 mi
46m
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi
43m
Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi
39m
73rd Street
24.4 mi
28m
IA 100
15.2 mi
18m
US 65
13 mi
15m
Farley Road
10.4 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 120.2 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Epworth, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on Center Avenue South
0.3 mi·50 sec·Center Avenue South
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 20 West, US 52 North
3
Merge onto US 20; US 52
3.2 mi·3 min·US 20; US 52
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·52 sec
Exit 300Toward CR Y13: Farley
5
Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest
0.2 mi·20 sec·1st Street Southwest
6
Turn right onto Olde Farley Road
0.5 mi·55 sec·Olde Farley Road
7
Turn left onto CR Y13
10 mi·18 min·Farley Road
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
9
Merge onto US 151
39 mi·44 min·US 151
10
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi·1 min·US 151; IA 13
11
Turn right onto IA 100
15 mi·18 min·IA 100
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
13
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi·2 min·16th Avenue Southwest
14
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi·28 min·73rd Street
15
Continue on US 30
37 mi·43 min·Lincoln Highway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
17
Turn left onto IA 330
34 mi·39 min·Marshalltown Boulevard
18
Continue on US 65; IA 330
0.7 mi·58 sec·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
19
Take the exit onto US 65
13 mi·15 min·US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 80; I 35
5.6 mi·6 min·I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
96 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: OmahaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi·20 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
24
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi·4 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
25
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Broadway
26
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi·2 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
27
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi·50 sec·West Broadway
28
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 154 miles from Epworth, IA, or about 3h 9m 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 68 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154 miles or 3h 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 4h 59m
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 Epworth, 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 Epworth, IA
This is one driving day of about 307.9 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Epworth, 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 154 mi from Epworth, IA
· 3h 9m into the drive
The midpoint is around 154 miles from Epworth, 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 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.
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 307.7
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.14 one way
$96.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$52.85
$105.70
premium
$4.89
$59.25
$118.51
diesel
$5.61
$67.98
$135.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.4
1
$32.33
$14.78
Efficient EV
77
0
$26.94
$12.32
EV Truck/SUV
123.2
1
$43.11
$19.71
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Epworth, IA
Evening
in Epworth on Friday
Local time
8:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Council Bluffs, IA
Evening
in Council Bluffs on Friday
Local time
8:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Nevada, IA
154 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
6 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
6h 2m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Epworth, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 307.9 miles and takes about 6h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, US 151, Lincoln Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 154 miles from Epworth, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.14 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 17 significant decision points across 307.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 170.2 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Epworth, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown, Des Moines and Omaha Nebraska.
