Drive Time
2h 38m
Distance
163.3 mi
263 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
The drive from George, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 163.3 miles and takes about 2h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Boiler Avenue, South Virginia Street, L14 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.24 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
81.6 miles from George, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 38m drive with frequent turns across 163.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Boiler Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Virginia Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| L14 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kennedy Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Colfax Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 320th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Jackson Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road K64 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between George, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
Start on North Main Street
Turn left onto East Boiler Avenue
Turn right onto South Virginia Street
Continue on L14
Continue on Kennedy Avenue
Continue on Colfax Street
Turn right onto 320th Street
Turn left onto Jackson Avenue
Continue on County Road K64
Continue on Albany Avenue
Continue on Albany Place
Continue on County Road K64
Turn right
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward I 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport
Take the exit slight left
Continue on North 16th Street
Turn left onto West Broadway
Continue on West Broadway
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.6 miles or 1h 19m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Council Bluffs, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving George, 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 George, IA
This is one driving day of about 163.3 miles and 2h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.6 mi from George, IA · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 81.6 miles from George, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$24.24 one way
$48.49 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $27.34 | $54.69 |
| premium | $4.65 | $29.92 | $59.84 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $34.10 | $68.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49 | 0 | $17.15 | $7.84 |
| Efficient EV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.29 | $6.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.3 | 0 | $22.86 | $10.45 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in George on Saturday
Local time
11:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Council Bluffs on Saturday
Local time
11:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
41°F
Sioux City, IA
82 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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