Origin
Stuart, IA
Afternoon in Stuart on Thursday
Local time
1:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Stuart, IA to Council Bluffs, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
89.7 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 20m
★
6 AM
1h 26m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 22m
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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 26m. Total distance: 89.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
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.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 West is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
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 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Stuart, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 West | — | — |
| US 6 | — | — |
| East Kanesville Boulevard | — | — |
| East Broadway | — | — |
| West Broadway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 80 West
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stuart, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on South Division Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Division Street
2
Take the ramp right
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
3
Merge slight left
65 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
4
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
5
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
6
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
7
Continue on East Broadway
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Broadway
8
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
9
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
West Broadway
10
Arrive at your destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.8 mi from Stuart, IA · 43m 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 44.8 miles from Stuart, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.02 one way
$28.05 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.40 | $30.79 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.26 | $34.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.80 | $39.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$14
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.9 | 0 | $9.42 | $4.31 |
| Efficient EV | 22.4 | 0 | $7.85 | $3.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.9 | 0 | $12.56 | $5.74 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
Afternoon in Council Bluffs on Thursday
Local time
1:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Avoca, IA
45 mi in
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 26m 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 89.7 miles and takes about 1h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80 West, US 6, East Kanesville Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.8 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 $14.02 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 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Stuart, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Stuart, IA to Council Bluffs, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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