Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Carroll, IA to Council Bluffs, IA

Pin this trip

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

Drive Time

2h 8m

Distance

100.7 mi

162 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 59m ★
6 AM
2h 8m
8 AM
2h 26m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 15m
5 PM
2h 25m
8 PM
2h 3m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Carroll County, Iowa, United States

Carroll, IA

Wikimedia Commons

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

Council Bluffs, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 100.7-mile drive from Carroll to Council Bluffs, Iowa, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 8 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes I-80 and Highway 71, with a significant portion, 76%, on highways, offering a direct and efficient journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this is an economical option for a quick getaway or transit. You'll find this drive to be a straightforward, highway-focused experience, perfect for those looking to cover ground without extensive planning.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

50.3 miles from Carroll, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 51.5 mi 55m
Highway 71 14.3 mi 19m
Ivy Avenue 12.1 mi 16m
US 71 10.9 mi 15m
East Kanesville Boulevard 3.7 mi 6m
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway 3 mi 4m
North Market Street 1.6 mi 3m
Lincoln Street 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 51.5 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

56 ft · 9 sec · this road
2

Turn left

81 ft · 11 sec
3

Turn left onto North Main Street

0.2 mi · 41 sec · North Main Street
4

Turn right onto West 3rd Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West 3rd Street
5

Turn left onto US 71

11 mi · 15 min · US 71
6

Continue on US 71; IA 141

3.0 mi · 4 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7

Turn left onto US 71

12 mi · 16 min · Ivy Avenue
8

Continue on US 71

1.6 mi · 3 min · North Market Street
9

Continue on US 71

12 mi · 16 min · Highway 71
10

Continue on US 71

1.0 mi · 1 min · Lincoln Street
11

Continue on US 71

2.5 mi · 3 min · Highway 71
12

Continue on US 71

0.5 mi · 39 sec · 650th Street
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
14

Merge onto I 80

32 mi · 34 min · I 80
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

19 mi · 20 min · I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
17

Turn straight onto IA 906

2.8 mi · 4 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
18

Continue on IA 906

0.1 mi · 20 sec · East Broadway
19

Continue on IA 906

0.9 mi · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
20

Continue on West Broadway

0.4 mi · 50 sec · West Broadway
21

Arrive at destination

West Broadway

Trip Plan

Given the short 2-hour and 8-minute duration for this 100.7-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility for departure times. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize your day at your destination or upon arrival in Council Bluffs. With no designated stops in the data, consider a brief stretch break around the halfway point, perhaps after the longest uninterrupted stretch of 51.5 miles on I-80. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $16, and plan for a fill-up before you depart Carroll or upon reaching Council Bluffs.

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 50.3 miles from Carroll, IA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.5 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 22 miles or 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 50.3 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 45m

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 Carroll, 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 Carroll, IA

This is one driving day of about 100.7 miles and 2h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Carroll, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 51.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Atlantic, IA

50 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

Audubon, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Atlantic, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 50.3 miles from Carroll, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 · early in the drive

The Feed Mill Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Audubon, Iowa

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch · 37min in 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+17125635406

Visit website

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Avoca, Iowa

0.4 mi

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Council Bluffs, Iowa

0.8 mi

The Feed Mill Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Audubon, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+17125635406

Visit website

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+17123432419

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

The Backfield Bar & Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Walnut, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17127842700

Visit website

Tish's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17123235456

Visit website

Apple Barrel Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17123223000

Visit website

Silver Lining Diner

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Walnut, Iowa

Hours: 6–10 am

+17128286688

Visit website

Minden Bowl Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Minden, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+17124832512

Visit website

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

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Shelby, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0 mi from route

Audubon, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

1.6 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Carroll, Iowa

+18559007584

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

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

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

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

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 96.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Main Street

Turn left onto North Main Street

Navigation decision point

4
44.2 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

6
77 mi into trip | ~1h 39m 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
96.1 mi into trip | ~1h 59m 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

$15.74 one way

$31.49 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $17.29 $34.57
premium $4.89 $19.38 $38.76
diesel $5.61 $22.23 $44.47

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.2 0 $10.57 $4.83
Efficient EV 25.2 0 $8.81 $4.03
EV Truck/SUV 40.3 0 $14.10 $6.44

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Carroll, IA

Morning in Carroll on Tuesday

Local time

6:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Council Bluffs, IA

Morning in Council Bluffs on Tuesday

Local time

6:09 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

2 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 8m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 76% of the 100.7 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 51.5 miles on I-80, offering a consistent pace. While the route includes Highway 71 and Ivy Avenue, the overall feel leans towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. Expect a steady drive with minimal interruptions, allowing you to maintain momentum for most of the journey.

76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.5 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Highway 71. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 8m drive. You will face about 9 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: Navigation decision point; near the start (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

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 Carroll, IA to Council Bluffs, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.

Omaha Nebraska

77 mi in | ~1h 39m | via I 80

About the Cities

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 2h 8m. Total distance: 100.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 51.5 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Council Bluffs, IA before heading back.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Council Bluffs, IA

Dubuque, IA 318.1 mi · 6h 9m Cascade, IA 292.8 mi · 5h 39m Fayette, IA 290.2 mi · 5h 59m Springville, IA 261.5 mi · 5h 3m

More from Carroll, IA

Bettendorf, IA 248.2 mi · 4h 57m Urbandale, IA 81.8 mi · 1h 56m

More trips to Council Bluffs, IA

Clinton, IA 326 mi Postville, IA 313.6 mi Fort Madison, IA 305.2 mi Burlington, IA 296.6 mi Mechanicsville, IA 273.1 mi Nashua, IA 271.3 mi
Escape planner: Carroll, IA Scenic drives in IA

Explore more options from Carroll, IA or browse trips ending in Council Bluffs, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.