Origin
Jefferson, IA
Night in Jefferson on Wednesday
Local time
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jefferson, IA to Council Bluffs, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
122.6 mi
197 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jefferson, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 122.6-mile drive from Jefferson, IA, to Council Bluffs, IA, can be comfortably completed in about 2 hours and 32 minutes, making it an ideal one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate on I-80, with some time spent on State Highways 25 and 4. With a projected fuel cost of around $19, this route offers an economical journey through the Midwest. The overall feel is that of a straightforward highway-focused drive, perfect for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
61.3 miles from Jefferson, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this trip, with 78% of the drive utilizing major roadways like I-80. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 73.8 miles on I-80, offering a consistent pace. While predominantly highway, the inclusion of State Highways 25 and 4 provides some variation in the driving experience. This route is designed for steady progress, with minimal technical driving and a consistent road profile.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 73.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and State Highway 25. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 12 miles in near IA 4; IA 141 / George P. Soumas Memorial Highway.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 32m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12 miles (IA 4; IA 141 / George P. Soumas Memorial Highway): Navigation decision point; at 12.4 miles (IA 4 / State Highway 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 22.7 miles (IA 44 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
12 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
IA 4; IA 141 / George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
At end of road, turn left onto IA 4; IA 141 / George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
Navigation decision point
4
12.4 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
IA 4 / State Highway 4
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 4 / State Highway 4
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
22.7 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
IA 44 / East Main Street
Turn right onto IA 44 / East Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
99 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m 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...
5
118.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Jefferson, IA to Council Bluffs, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.
Omaha Nebraska
99 mi in
|
~2h 3m
|
via I 80
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 73.8 mi | 1h 19m |
| State Highway 25 | 10.9 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 4 | 10.9 mi | 14m |
| Neola Avenue | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| State Street | 6.9 mi | 10m |
| East Kanesville Boulevard | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| County Road F65 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Elm Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 73.8 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on West Lincolnway Street
22 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Lincolnway Street
2
Turn right onto IA 4
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Elm Street
3
Continue on IA 4
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
·
N Avenue
4
Continue on South Elm Street
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Elm Street
5
Continue on IA 4
8.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Neola Avenue
6
Continue on IA 4
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 4
7
At end of road, turn left onto IA 4; IA 141
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 4
9.6 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 4
9
Continue on IA 4
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 3rd Street
10
Turn right onto IA 44
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
East Main Street
11
Continue on IA 44
6.9 mi
·
10 min
·
State Street
12
Turn left onto IA 25
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South 5th Street
13
Continue on IA 25
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 25
14
Turn right onto County Road F65
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road F65
15
Continue on East Sherman Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Sherman Street
16
Turn left onto Antique Country Drive
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Antique Country Drive
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
18
Merge onto I 80; US 6
55 mi
·
58 min
·
I 80; US 6
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
21
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
22
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Broadway
23
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
24
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Broadway
25
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of this 2-hour and 32-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility for your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your daylight hours upon arrival. With only one recommended stop indicated, you can easily complete this drive without needing to split it. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 73.8-mile stretch on I-80, as services might be less frequent than on local roads. A practical tip: utilize apps to check real-time traffic conditions on I-80 before you depart, as it's the primary artery for this journey.
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 61.3 miles from Jefferson, IA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 27 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.3 miles or 1h 23m 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 5m
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 Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, IA
This is one driving day of about 122.6 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Jefferson, 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 73.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.3 mi from Jefferson, IA · 1h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.3 miles from Jefferson, 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 73.8 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.17 one way
$38.33 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.04 | $42.09 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.59 | $47.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.07 | $54.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.87 | $5.88 |
| Efficient EV | 30.7 | 0 | $10.73 | $4.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49 | 0 | $17.16 | $7.85 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Council Bluffs, IA
Night in Council Bluffs on Wednesday
Local time
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
2 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 32m 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 Jefferson, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 122.6 miles and takes about 2h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, State Highway 25, State Highway 4. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.3 miles from Jefferson, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.17 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 32m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 12 miles (IA 4; IA 141 / George P. Soumas Memorial Highway): Navigation decision point; at 12.4 miles (IA 4 / State Highway 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 22.7 miles (IA 44 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Jefferson, IA to Council Bluffs, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.
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