Origin
Stuart, IA
Late night in Stuart on Friday
Local time
1:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Stuart, IA to Council Bluffs, IA
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
89.8 mi
144 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stuart, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 89.7-mile drive from Stuart, IA, to Council Bluffs, IA, will take you about 1 hour and 26 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate via I 80 West and US 6, with a portion on East Kanesville Boulevard. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, this is an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local driving experience rather than a continuous highway journey. Given its short duration and manageable distance, you won't need to worry about overnight stays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.9 miles from Stuart, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 89.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 89.7-mile journey. With a 0% highway share, you won't be cruising on interstates for extended periods. Instead, anticipate a more engaged driving experience with frequent changes in direction as you transition between roads like US 6 and East Kanesville Boulevard. The absence of a defined 'longest stretch' further emphasizes the stop-and-go nature of this route, requiring your constant attention. This isn't a monotonous interstate grind; it's a more interactive local road experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 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 84.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and East Kanesville Boulevard. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near I 80; US 6.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Stuart, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is easy. At 1h 40m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (I 80; US 6): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 66.1 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
3 of 3 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 80; US 6
Merge onto I 80; US 6
Merge point - match speed before joining
6
66.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m 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
85.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m 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.
Between Stuart, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Omaha Nebraska and Oakland.
Omaha Nebraska
66.1 mi in
|
~1h 11m
|
via I 80
Oakland
85.2 mi in
|
~1h 31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 84.4 mi | 1h 30m |
| East Kanesville Boulevard | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| South Division Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Broadway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 84.4 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stuart, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on CR P28
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Division Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
3
Merge onto I 80; US 6
65 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 80; US 6
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
6
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
7
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Broadway
8
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
9
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Broadway
10
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
For this 1-hour and 26-minute drive, flexibility is your best friend. Since it's a short trip with a low estimated fuel cost of $14, you can depart whenever suits your schedule. There are no specific 'longest stretches' to worry about, so you can take your time and make spontaneous stops if something catches your eye. Pay close attention to the frequent turns indicated by the route's 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, especially as you approach Council Bluffs on East Kanesville Boulevard. This will help you navigate smoothly without missing any crucial junctions.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.9 miles from Stuart, IA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.4 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 20 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.9 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 22m
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 Stuart, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Stuart, IA
This is one driving day of about 89.8 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Stuart, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 84.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.9 mi from Stuart, IA · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.9 miles from Stuart, 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 84.4 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.04 one way
$28.08 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.41 | $30.83 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.28 | $34.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.83 | $39.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.9 | 0 | $9.43 | $4.31 |
| Efficient EV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.86 | $3.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.9 | 0 | $12.57 | $5.75 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (65% 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
Late night in Council Bluffs on Friday
Local time
1:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Avoca, IA
45 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
18 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
1h 40m 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 Stuart, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 89.8 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, East Kanesville Boulevard, South Division Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.9 miles from Stuart, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.04 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.
The drive from Stuart, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is easy. At 1h 40m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (I 80; US 6): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 66.1 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Stuart, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Omaha Nebraska and Oakland.
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