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Trip from Council Bluffs, IA to Cascade, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 39m

Distance

292.8 mi

471 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 26m ★
6 AM
5h 39m
8 AM
6h 6m
10 AM
5h 49m
12 PM
5h 46m
3 PM
5h 50m
5 PM
6h 5m
8 PM
5h 31m

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

Council Bluffs, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Iowa, United States

Cascade, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 292.8-mile journey from Council Bluffs, IA, to Cascade, IA, is a manageable one-day road trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 39 minutes of driving time. You'll be navigating a mix of major highways and local roads, with about half of your travel on interstates. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $44, making it an economical option for exploring more of Iowa. This route keeps you within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travel. With only one recommended stop, you can cover this distance efficiently without feeling overly rushed.

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

146.4 miles from Council Bluffs, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 132.7 mi 2h 24m
Lincoln Highway 37 mi 42m
Northeast Hubbell Road 33.5 mi 39m
73rd Street 26.8 mi 30m
Marion Airport Road 24.1 mi 27m
200th Avenue 12.2 mi 14m
IA 100 9.4 mi 11m
Collins Road Northeast 5.9 mi 7m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 132.7 mi, about 2h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

14 mi · 16 min · I 80
Exit 123B Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

4.5 mi · 5 min · I 80
Use the slight left lane.
8

Take the exit onto US 65

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 65
Exit 142 Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant Use the slight right lane.
9

Turn left onto US 65; IA 330

1.2 mi · 1 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
10

Continue on US 65; IA 330

33 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
12

Merge onto US 30

37 mi · 42 min · Lincoln Highway
13

Continue on US 30

27 mi · 30 min · 73rd Street
14

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
15

Continue on IA 100

9.4 mi · 11 min · IA 100
16

Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100

5.9 mi · 7 min · Collins Road Northeast
17

Turn left onto US 151; IA 13

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 151; IA 13
18

Turn right onto US 151

24 mi · 27 min · Marion Airport Road
19

Continue on US 151

12 mi · 14 min · 200th Avenue
20

Turn right onto US 151 Business

1.5 mi · 2 min · US 151 Business
21

Arrive at destination

US 151 Business

Trip Plan

Given the 5 hour and 39 minute drive time, starting early from Council Bluffs will allow you to reach Cascade with ample daylight. While the route has only one recommended stop, plan for brief breaks as needed, especially during the 132.7-mile stretch on I-80. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $44 estimated cost suggests regular gas stations will be available, but it's always wise to top off before heading into less populated areas. The flexibility of this drive means you can adjust your pace, but be mindful of the changing road types as you leave the interstate.

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 146.4 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.7 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 64 miles or 1h 13m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 146.4 miles or 2h 45m 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 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cascade, 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 292.8 miles and 5h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 132.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ankeny, IA

146 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.

Popular next leg

Ankeny, IA to Cascade, IA

158 mi · 3h 12m

Pacing Suggestions

Coo n Rapids, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ankeny, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 146.4 miles from Council Bluffs, 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 132.7 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Melbourne Pub & Pool

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Melbourne, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 167.3

Hours: 2 pm–2 am

+16414822034

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Council Bluffs, Iowa

0.8 mi

Napoli's Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marion, Iowa

1.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Trading Grounds

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marion, Iowa

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 250.9

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

Life Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Urbandale, Iowa

3 mi

Melbourne Pub & Pool

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 167.3

Melbourne, Iowa

Hours: 2 pm–2 am

+16414822034

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

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

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+17123228935

Visit website

Napoli's Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 250.9

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193772100

Visit website

Rio Burritos

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 250.9

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9:15 pm

+13199815001

Visit website

Persis Biryani Indian Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 250.9

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13198262000

Visit website

Café by Country Kitchen

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 250.9

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13193778627

Visit website

Subway

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 271.8

Anamosa, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+13194624411

Visit website

Eva's Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 250.9

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13193207702

Visit website

Trading Grounds

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 250.9

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 125.5

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+15155090915

Visit website

Life Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 125.5

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Café Postale

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

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

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Closed

+14022845019

Visit website

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 250.9

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13192003218

Visit website

Café Saint Pio

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 250.9

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13192001000

Casey Creamery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.6

Casey, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16417462735

Visit website

Roasters Coffeehouse NewBo

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 250.9

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 230

Newhall, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 104.6

De Soto, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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 start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 125.5

Grimes, Iowa

+18006360986

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 250.9

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Bistro at Blooms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 250.9

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2:30 pm

+13194499996

Visit website

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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 start, short detour

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 start, short detour

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 start, ~9 min detour

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 start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 2–10 pm

+14028857557

Visit website

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 125.5

Windsor Heights, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+15152778888

Visit website

Lake Manawa State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

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 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.2 and 237.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
5.2 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
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...
6
133.6 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | I 80

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.
8
138.1 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | US 65

Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

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 142 Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...
5
237.5 mi into trip | ~4h 31m in

Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.78 one way

$91.55 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $50.26 $100.52
premium $4.89 $56.35 $112.69
diesel $5.61 $64.65 $129.29

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: 102.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 87.8 1 $30.74 $14.05
Efficient EV 73.2 0 $25.62 $11.71
EV Truck/SUV 117.1 1 $40.99 $18.74

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (67% 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

8:11 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cascade, IA

Evening in Cascade on Saturday

Local time

8:11 PM

CDT

Current temp

48°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

7 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 39m 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?

Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 50% of your mileage on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 132.7 miles on I-80, providing a period of consistent, faster travel. As you transition from the interstate, you'll also navigate segments on the historic Lincoln Highway and Northeast Hubbell Road, introducing a different driving pace and character. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway cruising and more local road driving as you progress towards Cascade.

50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.7 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 292.8 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 5.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 119.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,333 ft 801 ft

Total Climb

587 ft

Total Descent

748 ft

Highest Point

1,333 ft

~41.8 mi in

Elevation Range

531 ft

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 Cascade, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Bondurant and Marion.

Minneapolis

119.2 mi in | ~2h 13m | via I 80

Kansas City

119.2 mi in | ~2h 13m | via I 80

Bondurant

138.1 mi in | ~2h 35m | via US 65

Marion

237.5 mi in | ~4h 31m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 292.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 132.7 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 Cascade, 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 5.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 119.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cascade, IA before the return drive.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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