This 220.3-mile drive from Belmond, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is a straightforward Midwest journey, taking approximately 4 hours and 13 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-80 and I-35, this route is built for efficiency, making it an ideal one-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $34, it's an economical way to travel across Iowa. The drive is focused on getting you to your destination with minimal fuss, offering a clear path through the heartland. You'll find it’s a practical choice for those prioritizing time and budget.
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
110.2 miles from Belmond, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
114.6 mi
2h 3m
I 35
73.3 mi
1h 20m
US 69
15 mi
20m
River Avenue South
8.8 mi
12m
East Kanesville Boulevard
3.7 mi
6m
190th Street
3.4 mi
5m
West Broadway
0.4 mi
<1m
East Broadway
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 114.6 mi, about 2h 3m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 19 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,587 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 39 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belmond, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue Northeast
61 ft·4 sec·2nd Avenue Northeast
2
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.1 mi·37 sec·East Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 69
8.8 mi·12 min·River Avenue South
4
Turn left onto US 69
15 mi·20 min·US 69
5
Turn left onto CR D20
3.4 mi·5 min·190th Street
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward Somerset Road
7
Merge onto I 35
59 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi·20 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
12
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi·4 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
13
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Broadway
14
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi·2 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
15
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi·50 sec·West Broadway
16
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
Given its manageable 4-hour duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single day's travel. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility, but it's wise to note the 114.6-mile stretch on I-80 where you'll want to ensure you have adequate fuel before entering it. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the longer highway segments to avoid any unexpected delays. This efficient drive means you can easily reach Council Bluffs without needing an overnight stay.
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 110.2 miles from Belmond, IA, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.6 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 48 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.2 miles or 2h 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 3h 26m
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 Belmond, 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 Belmond, IA
This is one driving day of about 220.3 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Belmond, 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 114.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 196.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Main Street
Turn right onto East Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
27.8 mi into trip|~40m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
86.8 mi into trip|~1h 44m 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
101.1 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
196.7 mi into trip|~3h 43m 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
$32.53 one way
$65.07 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.92
$71.83
premium
$4.72
$40.90
$81.81
diesel
$4.80
$41.60
$83.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.1
0
$23.13
$10.57
Efficient EV
55.1
0
$19.28
$8.81
EV Truck/SUV
88.1
1
$30.84
$14.10
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Belmond, IA
Late night
in Belmond on Sunday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
NNE 8 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:22PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Destination
Council Bluffs, IA
Late night
in Council Bluffs on Sunday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 3 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:22PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
88°F
Greenfield, IA
110 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
4h 13m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 92% of the drive occurring on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 114.6 miles on I-80, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the profile is predominantly highway, the presence of US-69 offers a slight change of pace before rejoining the faster routes. This drive is about covering ground efficiently, with the landscape unfolding primarily from the vantage point of high-speed travel.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.6 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 35. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Main 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 220.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.8 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.8 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,380 ft855 ft
Total Climb
643 ft
Total Descent
831 ft
Highest Point
1,380 ft
~157.4 mi in
Elevation Range
525 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Belmond, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Davenport and Omaha Nebraska.
Council Bluffs is a city in Southwest Iowa, just across the Missouri River from Omaha. It is known for its casinos and ties to the transcontinental railroad. It is sometimes called "Iowa's Leading Edge."
Top landmarks
•Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial — statue in Council Bluffs, United States of America
•Grenville M. Dodge House — historic house in Iowa, United States
•RailsWest Railroad Museum — railway station in Council Bluffs, the United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 220.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.6 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Council Bluffs, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.8 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.8 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Council Bluffs, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
