Embarking on a journey from Manly, Iowa, to Council Bluffs, Iowa, covers 257.5 miles and will take approximately 4 hours and 46 minutes of driving time. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, making it an efficient way to travel between these two Midwest locations. You'll primarily navigate using Avenue of the Saints, I-35, and I-80, offering a mix of highway experiences. With an estimated fuel cost of around $40, it's a budget-friendly option for a solo drive or a quick getaway. The drive provides a straightforward passage through the heart of Iowa, ideal for those seeking a direct connection.
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
128.8 miles from Manly, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 257.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This drive presents a mixed profile, with 53% of the journey on highways. Expect to spend a significant portion of your time on the Avenue of the Saints, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch at 115.8 miles. While much of the route involves comfortable highway driving, the transition between major interstates and other roads will keep things dynamic. The character of the drive shifts as you progress, offering a varied experience behind the wheel without being overly demanding. It's a route that balances efficiency with moments of open road.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 115.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Broadway Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 257.5 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.3 miles (I 35; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Broadway Street
Turn right onto North Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
5
8.3 mi into trip|~13m in|I 35; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge onto I 35; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
124.1 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
7
138.4 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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
233.9 mi into trip|~4h 17m 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 Manly, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Davenport and Omaha Nebraska.
Davenport
124.1 mi in|~2h 18m|via I 35
Omaha Nebraska
233.9 mi in|~4h 17m|via I 80
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
115.8 mi
2h 4m
I 80
114.6 mi
2h 3m
I 35
14.3 mi
16m
State Highway 9
7.1 mi
9m
East Kanesville Boulevard
3.7 mi
6m
East South Street
0.5 mi
1m
West Broadway
0.4 mi
<1m
North Broadway Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 115.8 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manly, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on this road
264 ft·21 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto North Broadway Street
0.2 mi·55 sec·North Broadway Street
3
Turn right onto IA 9
0.5 mi·1 min·East South Street
4
Continue on IA 9
7.1 mi·9 min·State Highway 9
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
6
Merge onto I 35; IA 27
116 mi·2 hr 4 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
14 mi·16 min·I 35
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, DavenportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi·20 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
11
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi·4 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
12
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Broadway
13
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi·2 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
14
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi·50 sec·West Broadway
15
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 46-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Manly to maximize your daylight and arrive in Council Bluffs with ample time. While the total duration suggests a single-day trip is feasible, planning for one stop along the way can break up the 257.5 miles nicely. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 115.8-mile stretch on Avenue of the Saints, as services might be less frequent than on major interstates. The $40 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but always factor in potential price fluctuations.
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 128.8 miles from Manly, IA, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.8 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 57 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.8 miles or 2h 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 3h 52m
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 Manly, 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 Manly, IA
This is one driving day of about 257.5 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Manly, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 115.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128.8 mi from Manly, IA
· 2h 23m into the drive
The midpoint is around 128.8 miles from Manly, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.8 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.
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 257.5
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.26 one way
$80.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$44.20
$88.40
premium
$4.89
$49.55
$99.11
diesel
$5.61
$56.85
$113.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.3
0
$27.04
$12.36
Efficient EV
64.4
0
$22.53
$10.30
EV Truck/SUV
103
1
$36.05
$16.48
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Manly, IA
Morning
in Manly on Saturday
Local time
6:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Council Bluffs, IA
Morning
in Council Bluffs on Saturday
Local time
6:53 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
9 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
4h 46m 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 Manly, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 257.5 miles and takes about 4h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, I 80, I 35. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 128.8 miles from Manly, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.26 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 257.5 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.3 miles (I 35; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Manly, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Davenport and Omaha Nebraska.
