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Trip from Britt, IA to Council Bluffs, IA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 50m

Distance

247.9 mi

399 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 37m ★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 0m
12 PM
4h 58m
3 PM
5h 2m
5 PM
5h 16m
8 PM
4h 43m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Download GPX
Downtown Britt, IA, IA

Britt, IA

Quang Nguyen Vinh

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

Council Bluffs, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 247.9-mile journey from Britt, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 86% of the drive utilizing major interstates. You can expect a fuel cost of around $39 for this trip. Given its manageable length and highway nature, it's a straightforward drive across the Midwest, with no need to split it into multiple days. The primary roads you'll be on include I-35, I-80, and Sage Avenue.

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

124 miles from Britt, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 114.6 mi 2h 3m
I 35 73.3 mi 1h 20m
Sage Avenue 26.7 mi 36m
US 69 15 mi 20m
US Highway 18 9.5 mi 13m
East Kanesville Boulevard 3.7 mi 6m
190th Street 3.4 mi 5m
West Broadway 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 114.6 mi, about 2h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Main Avenue North

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Main Avenue North
2

Turn right onto US 18

9.5 mi · 13 min · US Highway 18
3

Turn right onto US 69

27 mi · 36 min · Sage Avenue
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, Davenport Use 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: Omaha Use 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

For this 4-hour and 50-minute drive, starting early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and potentially avoid any midday traffic. With only one stop suggested and a significant portion on I-80, plan your breaks strategically. The longest stretch is over 114 miles, so be sure to fuel up before embarking on that segment. The estimated fuel cost is $39, so keep that in mind for your budget. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed.

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 124 miles from Britt, IA, or about 2h 33m 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 55 miles or 1h 17m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 124 miles or 2h 33m 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 59m

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 Britt, 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 Britt, IA

This is one driving day of about 247.9 miles and 4h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Britt, 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.

human settlement in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukee, IA

124 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

Iowa Falls, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grimes, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124 miles from Britt, 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 114.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · around the midpoint

Ambro's Roadhouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

De Soto, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset · 2h 46m in / 2h 5m to go 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15158349174

Visit website

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stuart, Iowa

0.8 mi

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Council Bluffs, Iowa

0.8 mi

Best coffee break · early in the drive

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch · 1h 44m in 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.3 mi

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.3 mi

Ambro's Roadhouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

De Soto, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15158349174

Visit website

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155238000

Visit website

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+17123228935

Visit website

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+17123432419

Visit website

Fuego Mexican restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16417422025

Visit website

Urbandale Clubhouse And Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+15152765496

Visit website

100th St. Corner Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–1:30 pm

+15153312343

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+15155090915

Visit website

Life Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Café Postale

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Closed

+14022845019

Visit website

Juniper & Olive Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30

Jewell, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+15155098435

Visit website

Labyrinth Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

De Soto, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

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

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+14026611804

Visit website

The Old Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–1:30 pm

+14023464445

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Museum Of Shadows

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 2–10 pm

+14028857557

Visit website

Lake Manawa State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 4 am–10:30 pm

+17123660220

Visit website

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Windsor Heights, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+15152778888

Visit website

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 55.4 and 243.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
55.4 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
114.5 mi into trip | ~2h 22m 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
128.8 mi into trip | ~2h 38m 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
224.3 mi into trip | ~4h 21m 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
243.4 mi into trip | ~4h 42m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.76 one way

$77.51 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $42.55 $85.11
premium $4.89 $47.71 $95.41
diesel $5.61 $54.73 $109.47

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.4 0 $26.03 $11.90
Efficient EV 62 0 $21.69 $9.92
EV Truck/SUV 99.2 1 $34.71 $15.87

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Britt, IA

Late night in Britt on Tuesday

Local time

4:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Council Bluffs, IA

Late night in Council Bluffs on Tuesday

Local time

4:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

4 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 50m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Get ready for a highway-focused experience, as 86% of this 247.9-mile route is on interstates. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 114.6 miles on I-80, meaning extended periods of consistent driving without significant turns or slowdowns. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed roads like I-35 and I-80, there are segments on Sage Avenue that offer a slight change of pace. Overall, expect a profile that prioritizes efficient travel across Iowa.

86% 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 around 55.4 miles in near I 35.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 247.9 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: at 55.4 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.5 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.8 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Britt, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Davenport and Omaha Nebraska.

Davenport

114.5 mi in | ~2h 22m | via I 35

Omaha Nebraska

224.3 mi in | ~4h 21m | via I 80

About the Cities

Starting in Britt, IA

Full guide →

Britt is a city in North Central Iowa, best known as the home of the Hobo Foundation.

Arriving in Council Bluffs, IA

Full guide →

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."

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 247.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). 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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 55.4 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.5 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.8 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Council Bluffs, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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