Origin
Colfax, IA
Night in Colfax on Saturday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colfax, IA to Council Bluffs, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 49m
Distance
151.6 mi
244 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 38m
★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 57m
12 PM
2h 55m
3 PM
2h 58m
5 PM
3h 10m
8 PM
2h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colfax, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 151.6-mile drive from Colfax to Council Bluffs, Iowa, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in under 3 hours. With a fuel cost estimated at $24, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route is predominantly on I-80, making it a convenient way to traverse the Midwest. You'll spend most of your time on high-speed interstates, with just a small portion on State Highway 117 and East Kanesville Boulevard. This route is perfectly suited for a single day of travel, offering minimal complexity and a direct path between your starting and ending points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.8 miles from Colfax, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 145.6 mi | 2h 38m |
| East Kanesville Boulevard | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| State Highway 117 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Broadway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Walnut Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Howard Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 145.6 mi, about 2h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colfax, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on East Howard Street
55 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Howard Street
2
Turn right onto IA 117
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
North Walnut Street
3
Continue on IA 117
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 117
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
5
Merge onto I 80; US 6
25 mi
·
28 min
·
I 80; US 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 80; I 35
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
7
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.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
10
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
11
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Broadway
12
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kanesville Boulevard
13
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Broadway
14
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 49-minute duration, this trip is best tackled in one day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and enjoy a less congested drive. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically, perhaps midway through the longest stretch on I-80. The estimated fuel cost of $24 is manageable, but it's always wise to keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 145.6-mile segment on I-80. This route is designed for direct travel, so focus on smooth progress rather than extensive sightseeing.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.8 miles from Colfax, IA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.6 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 33 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.8 miles or 1h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 16m
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 Colfax, 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 Colfax, IA
This is one driving day of about 151.6 miles and 2h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Colfax, 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 145.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.8 miles from Colfax, 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 145.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 147 — 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
|
IA 117 / North Walnut Street
Turn right onto IA 117 / North Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 80; US 6
Merge onto I 80; US 6
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
32.5 mi into trip
|
~37m 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
128 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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
147 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m 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
$23.70 one way
$47.40 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.02 | $52.05 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.17 | $58.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.47 | $66.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.5 | 0 | $15.92 | $7.28 |
| Efficient EV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.26 | $6.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.6 | 0 | $21.22 | $9.70 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Saturday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
17 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
2h 49m 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?
Expect a highway-centric experience for 97% of this 151.6-mile trip. The vast majority of your driving will be on I-80, which offers a consistent and fast pace. You'll encounter one significant uninterrupted stretch of 145.6 miles on I-80, meaning you can settle in for a long haul without many changes in road type. While the bulk is interstate, the initial and final segments will involve State Highway 117 and East Kanesville Boulevard, offering a slight variation before reaching your destination. This profile is designed for efficiency and forward momentum.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.6 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
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 IA 117 / North Walnut Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 49m drive. You will face about 6 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 (IA 117 / North Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (I 80; US 6): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.5 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.
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 Colfax, IA to Council Bluffs, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.
Omaha Nebraska
128 mi in
|
~2h 20m
|
via I 80
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 151.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 145.6 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 (IA 117 / North Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (I 80; US 6): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.5 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
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