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Trip from Norwalk, IA to Council Bluffs, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 30m

Distance

132.2 mi

213 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

28 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 20m ★
6 AM
2h 31m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 38m
12 PM
2h 36m
3 PM
2h 39m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Warren County and Polk County, Iowa, United States

Norwalk, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States

Council Bluffs, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Norwalk, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 132.2 miles and takes about 2h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, I 35, Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 113.9 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.67 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

66.1 miles from Norwalk, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 113.9 mi 2h 2m
I 35 4.3 mi 5m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway 4.2 mi 4m
East Kanesville Boulevard 3.7 mi 6m
State Highway 28 2.1 mi 3m
John MacVicar Freeway 0.5 mi <1m
Ramp 72 J 0.5 mi 1m
Sunset Drive 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 113.9 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Norwalk, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.

1

Start on Main Street

0.2 mi · 56 sec · Main Street
2

Turn right onto IA 28

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Sunset Drive
3

Continue on IA 28

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 28
4

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
5

Merge onto IA 5

4.2 mi · 4 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
7

Merge onto I 35

4.3 mi · 5 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit onto Ramp 72 J

0.5 mi · 1 min · Ramp 72 J
Exit 72B Toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 235

0.5 mi · 40 sec · John MacVicar Freeway
10

Merge onto I 80

95 mi · 1 hr 41 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

19 mi · 20 min · I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
13

Turn straight onto IA 906

2.8 mi · 4 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
14

Continue on IA 906

0.1 mi · 20 sec · East Broadway
15

Continue on IA 906

0.9 mi · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
16

Continue on West Broadway

0.4 mi · 50 sec · West Broadway
17

Arrive at destination

West Broadway

Trip Plan

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 66.1 miles from Norwalk, IA, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.9 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 29 miles or 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 66.1 miles or 1h 15m 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 1m

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 Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, IA

This is one driving day of about 132.2 miles and 2h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Norwalk, 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 113.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Atlantic, IA

66 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

Adel, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Atlantic, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 66.1 miles from Norwalk, 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 113.9 miles.

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 132.2

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+17123228935

Visit website

The Breakfast Club

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

1.3 mi

Ambro's Roadhouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

De Soto, Iowa

2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Hyper Energy Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9.4

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15156446155

Visit website

Playgrounds Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukee, Iowa

1.8 mi

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 132.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+17123228935

Visit website

The Breakfast Club

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 9.4

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2:30 pm

+15152247030

Visit website

Ambro's Roadhouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.3

De Soto, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15158349174

Visit website

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94.5

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+17123432419

Visit website

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 9.4

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152262182

Visit website

Tish's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 132.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17123235456

Visit website

Apple Barrel Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 132.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17123223000

Visit website

Chowrastha Indian Grill & Eatery - Indian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 9.4

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15153481054

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9.4

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15156446155

Visit website

Playgrounds Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 18.9

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+15156446331

Visit website

Casey Creamery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 56.7

Casey, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16417462735

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 18.9

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15152078041

Visit website

Café Postale

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 132.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Closed

+14022845019

Visit website

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 9.4

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+15155090915

Visit website

TMC Chrome Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15154758085

Vintage Road Coffee Co. - MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9.4

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13193210534

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 103.9

Shelby, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 28.3

De Soto, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 132.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 94.5

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 132.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 132.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 132.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 132.2

Omaha, NE

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 132.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 132.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 132.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+14026611804

Visit website

The Old Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 132.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–1:30 pm

+14023464445

Visit website

Museum Of Shadows

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 132.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 2–10 pm

+14028857557

Visit website

Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 9.4

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15152239605

Visit website

Lake Manawa State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 132.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 4 am–10:30 pm

+17123660220

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.6 and 108.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
7.6 mi into trip | ~11m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I-35 north: Minneapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
5
8.4 mi into trip | ~12m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
12.8 mi into trip | ~18m in | Ramp 72 J

Take the exit onto Ramp 72 J toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 72B Toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
5
13.8 mi into trip | ~19m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
108.6 mi into trip | ~2h 1m 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.67 one way

$41.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $22.69 $45.39
premium $4.89 $25.44 $50.88
diesel $5.61 $29.19 $58.38

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

28 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Shell Recharge Charging Station

De Soto, Iowa

Shell Recharge

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Shelby, Iowa

Tesla

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Omaha, Nebraska

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Tesla

1 DCFC

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Omaha, Nebraska

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Omaha, NE

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Avoca, Iowa

Shell Recharge

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 16 Shell Recharge: 4 Other: 4 Tesla: 2 Electrify America: 1 Blink: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 39.7 0 $13.88 $6.35
Efficient EV 33.1 0 $11.57 $5.29
EV Truck/SUV 52.9 0 $18.51 $8.46

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 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 18, 2026

Origin

Norwalk, IA

Afternoon in Norwalk on Saturday

Local time

12:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Sunny

WNW 13 to 21 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:33AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Council Bluffs, IA

Afternoon in Council Bluffs on Saturday

Local time

12:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

34°F

Clear

NW 9 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:33AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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

19 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 30m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a 2h 30m highway drive covering 132.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and I 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 113.9 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 17 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 113.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 132.2 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 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 8.4 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.8 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Norwalk, IA to Council Bluffs, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.

Omaha Nebraska

108.6 mi in | ~2h 1m | via I 80

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 132.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Norwalk, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 132.2 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, I 35, Military Order of the Purple Heart 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 66.1 miles from Norwalk, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.67 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 demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 132.2 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 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 8.4 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.8 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

On the drive from Norwalk, IA to Council Bluffs, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Council Bluffs, IA to Norwalk, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

132.1 mi 2h 31m

Explore more options from Norwalk, IA or browse trips ending in Council Bluffs, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.