This 296.9-mile drive from Council Bluffs, IA to Burlington, IA will take approximately 5 hours and 41 minutes, making it a feasible one-day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is $45. You'll primarily be on local roads, with a significant amount of turning involved, so expect a more engaged driving experience rather than a straight highway cruise. Since both your origin and destination are within the Midwest, you'll stay within a familiar regional landscape throughout your travels. This route is well-suited for a single day's adventure, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
148.5 miles from Council Bluffs, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
114.1 mi
2h 2m
IA 163
77.6 mi
1h 29m
IA 5
51.3 mi
58m
US 34
27 mi
32m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.9 mi
14m
West Kanesville Boulevard
4.2 mi
7m
I 35
3.8 mi
4m
Avenue of the Saints
2.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 114.1 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs, IA and Burlington, IA.
1
Start on West Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·West Broadway
2
Continue on West Broadway
0.6 mi·1 min·West Broadway
3
Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard
4.2 mi·7 min·West Kanesville Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 80
114 mi·2 hr 2 min·I 80
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
0.3 mi·18 sec·I 80
Exit 123BToward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H
0.4 mi·51 sec·Ramp 72 H
Exit 123BToward I 35 South: Kansas City
8
Merge onto I 35
3.8 mi·4 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 68Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, NorwalkUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on IA 5
13 mi·14 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto IA 5
19 mi·22 min·IA 5
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
12
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
32 mi·36 min·IA 5; IA 92
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
14
Merge onto IA 163
78 mi·1 hr 29 min·IA 163
15
Merge onto US 34; US 218; IA 27; IA 163
2.3 mi·2 min·Avenue of the Saints
16
Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 34; IA 163
Exit 42Toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Burlington
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163
27 mi·31 min·US 34; IA 163
Exit 42Toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 262BToward Central Ave
19
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North Central Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
South Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 41-minute duration and turn-heavy nature, starting your drive in Council Bluffs early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and minimize potential rush hour traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The fuel cost is estimated at $45, so ensure your tank is full before departing Council Bluffs. Pay close attention to local road signs and your navigation, as the frequent turns will be the defining characteristic of this 296.9-mile route.
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 148.5 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.1 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 65 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.5 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burlington, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Council Bluffs, 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 Council Bluffs, IA
This is one driving day of about 296.9 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Council Bluffs, 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 114.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 119.2 and 269.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
119.2 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
5
119.5 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|Ramp 72 H
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H toward I 35 South: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 123B
Toward I 35 South: Kansas City
8
123.7 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68
Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport,...
6
269.1 mi into trip|~5h 7m in|US 34; IA 163
Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163 toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Burlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Bu...
7
269.3 mi into trip|~5h 7m in|US 34; IA 163
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163 toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.42 one way
$92.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$50.96
$101.93
premium
$4.89
$57.14
$114.27
diesel
$5.61
$65.55
$131.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.1
1
$31.17
$14.25
Efficient EV
74.2
0
$25.98
$11.88
EV Truck/SUV
118.8
1
$41.57
$19.00
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Council Bluffs, IA
Evening
in Council Bluffs on Saturday
Local time
8:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Burlington, IA
Evening
in Burlington on Saturday
Local time
8:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 41m 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?
The road profile for this trip is described as 'Turn-heavy local drive,' indicating that you'll be navigating numerous intersections and changes in direction. With a highway share of 0%, you can anticipate spending the entire journey on local roads, which means varying speed limits and potentially more traffic signals. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the 'turn-heavy' nature suggests frequent stops and starts. This drive will likely feel more like a series of connected local journeys rather than a continuous highway passage, demanding your attention at each turn.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.1 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and IA 163. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 119.2 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 296.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 119.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.5 miles (Ramp 72 H): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 123.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Council Bluffs, IA and Burlington, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines, Norwalk and 163 East: Mount Pleasant.
Minneapolis
119.2 mi in|~2h 13m|via I 80
Kansas City
119.2 mi in|~2h 13m|via I 80
Des Moines
123.7 mi in|~2h 18m
Norwalk
123.7 mi in|~2h 18m
163 East: Mount Pleasant
269.1 mi in|~5h 7m|via US 34; IA 163
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 296.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m 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 114.1 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 Burlington, 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 119.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.5 miles (Ramp 72 H): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 123.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Burlington, IA before the return drive.
