Origin
Urbandale, IA
Night in Urbandale on Tuesday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Urbandale, IA to Council Bluffs, IA
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
124.6 mi
201 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 11m
★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 40m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 39m
8 PM
2h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Urbandale, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 124.6-mile drive from Urbandale, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 21 minutes. The journey is predominantly highway-focused, with a 94% share on major roads like I-80, East Kanesville Boulevard, and John MacVicar Freeway. Given its relatively short duration and highway profile, you can expect a direct and efficient trip. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest route is around $19, making it an economical option. You'll spend most of your time on I-80, covering a substantial 113.9-mile stretch without needing to exit, which makes for a predictable and uncomplicated journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
62.3 miles from Urbandale, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this route, with nearly all of your 124.6 miles spent on major arteries. The personality of this drive is defined by efficiency, as 94% of the journey utilizes interstates and freeways like I-80. You'll encounter one lengthy, uninterrupted stretch of 113.9 miles on I-80, offering a consistent driving pace. While the road primarily consists of highway driving, transitions onto East Kanesville Boulevard and John MacVicar Freeway will mark your approach to Council Bluffs, offering a slight shift in the immediate surroundings before you reach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and East Kanesville Boulevard. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 70th Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (70th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Roseland Drive): Navigation decision point; at 6.2 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
70th Street
Turn left onto 70th Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Roseland Drive
Turn right onto Roseland Drive
Navigation decision point
5
6.2 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
101 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m 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
120.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m 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 Urbandale, IA to Council Bluffs, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.
Omaha Nebraska
101 mi in
|
~1h 51m
|
via I 80
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 113.9 mi | 2h 2m |
| East Kanesville Boulevard | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| 73rd Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| 72nd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Roseland Drive | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| East Broadway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 113.9 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Urbandale, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on Maryland Drive
13 ft
·
5 sec
·
Maryland Drive
2
Turn left onto 70th Street
348 ft
·
9 sec
·
70th Street
3
Turn right onto Roseland Drive
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Roseland Drive
4
Turn left onto 72nd Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
72nd Street
5
Turn straight onto 73rd Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
73rd Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I-235 west
7
Merge onto I 235
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
8
Merge onto I 80
95 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
I 80
Use 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
With a total duration of just over 2 hours, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to worry about extensive stopovers, though a quick break for fuel or a stretch is always a good idea, especially during the 113.9-mile stretch on I-80. The estimated fuel cost of $19 is minimal, so factoring that into your budget is straightforward. To make the most of this direct route, consider leaving Urbandale in the morning to avoid any potential traffic as you enter the Council Bluffs area, and keep an eye on your GPS for the precise exits onto East Kanesville Boulevard and John MacVicar Freeway.
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 62.3 miles from Urbandale, IA, or about 1h 10m 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.3 miles or 1h 10m 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 53m
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 Urbandale, 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 Urbandale, IA
This is one driving day of about 124.6 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Urbandale, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62.3 mi from Urbandale, IA · 1h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62.3 miles from Urbandale, 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 113.9 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.46 one way
$38.93 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.37 | $42.74 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.96 | $47.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.49 | $54.98 |
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: 43.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.4 | 0 | $13.08 | $5.98 |
| Efficient EV | 31.2 | 0 | $10.90 | $4.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.44 | $7.97 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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 Tuesday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Denison, IA
62 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
11 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 21m 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 Urbandale, IA to Council Bluffs, IA covers 124.6 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, East Kanesville Boulevard, John MacVicar Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 62.3 miles from Urbandale, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.48 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.
This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (70th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Roseland Drive): Navigation decision point; at 6.2 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Urbandale, IA to Council Bluffs, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.
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