Hull, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is 149.1 miles and takes about 2 hours 57 minutes via US 75, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically within Iowa, offering a straightforward journey from one part of the state to another. The route is characterized by its frequent turns, making it more of a local road experience than a high-speed interstate cruise. With a recommended single day for completion, this trip is ideal for a quick transit or a leisurely exploration of the Iowa landscape.
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
74.5 miles from Hull, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 149.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Expect a drive with a significant number of turns, as indicated by its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile. Only 20% of this route is on highways, meaning you'll spend most of your time on county roads and local avenues. The longest stretch without a turn or change in major road is 30.5 miles on US 75, offering a brief period of more consistent driving before you transition back to the more varied local roads. This means you'll be actively navigating for much of the 2 hours and 57 minutes, so stay engaged.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 18 / Black Forest Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 57m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 18 / Black Forest Road): Navigation decision point; at 27.7 miles (US 75): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 18 / Black Forest Road
Turn right onto US 18 / Black Forest Road
Navigation decision point
6
27.7 mi into trip|~39m in|US 75
Take the ramp onto US 75 toward Sioux City
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Sioux City
7
58.2 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs
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 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs
6
58.5 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gatewa...
6
148.2 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|West Broadway
Turn left onto West Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hull, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Sioux City and Sioux Gateway Airport.
Sioux City
27.7 mi in|~39m|via US 75
Sioux Gateway Airport
58.5 mi in|~1h 17m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 75
30.5 mi
37m
South Main Avenue
16.3 mi
22m
County Road K52
8 mi
10m
North 16th Street
1.4 mi
2m
Harrison Avenue
1 mi
1m
20th Street Southeast
1 mi
2m
West Broadway
0.9 mi
2m
400th Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 75
— 30.5 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hull, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 18
0.2 mi·25 sec·Black Forest Road
3
Turn left onto County Road K52
8.0 mi·10 min·County Road K52
4
Turn right onto B40
0.5 mi·52 sec·400th Street
5
Continue on B40
0.5 mi·1 min·9th Street Southeast
6
Turn left onto Harrison Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Harrison Avenue
7
Turn right onto 20th Street Southeast
1.0 mi·2 min·20th Street Southeast
8
Turn left onto US 75
16 mi·22 min·South Main Avenue
9
Take the ramp onto US 75
30 mi·37 min·US 75
Toward Sioux CityUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 29: Sioux City, Council BluffsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
88 mi·1 hr 34 min
Toward I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
13
Continue on North 16th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·North 16th Street
14
Turn left onto West Broadway
0.6 mi·1 min·West Broadway
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on West Broadway
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Broadway
16
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short distance of 149.1 miles and a drive time under 3 hours, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Consider leaving Hull, IA in the morning to allow for flexibility with stops along the way, perhaps one planned stop to break up the drive. The fuel cost is estimated at $23, so ensure your tank is full before departing. Pay attention to the numerous turns, especially on County Road K52, as they are a defining characteristic of this route and require constant attention.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.5 miles from Hull, IA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.5 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 33 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.5 miles or 1h 34m 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 26m
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 Hull, 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 Hull, IA
This is one driving day of about 149.1 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Hull, 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 75 for about 30.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.5 mi from Hull, IA
· 1h 34m into the drive
The midpoint is around 74.5 miles from Hull, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 149.1
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.31 one way
$46.62 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.59
$51.19
premium
$4.89
$28.69
$57.39
diesel
$5.61
$32.92
$65.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.7
0
$15.66
$7.16
Efficient EV
37.3
0
$13.05
$5.96
EV Truck/SUV
59.6
0
$20.87
$9.54
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 15, 2026
Origin
Hull, IA
Morning
in Hull on Saturday
Local time
9:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Council Bluffs, IA
Morning
in Council Bluffs on Saturday
Local time
9:24 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
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
2h 57m 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 Hull, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 149.1 miles and takes about 2h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 75, South Main Avenue, County Road K52. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74.5 miles from Hull, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.31 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 57m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 18 / Black Forest Road): Navigation decision point; at 27.7 miles (US 75): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hull, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Sioux City and Sioux Gateway Airport.
