Council Bluffs, IA to Centerville, IA is 214.1 miles and takes about 4h 20m via I 80 and IA 5, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest and covers ground entirely within Iowa. Given its relatively short distance and straightforward highway focus, it’s a manageable one-day journey. You'll primarily be on interstates and well-maintained state highways, making it a practical choice for straightforward travel. Consider this route if you need to get from western Iowa to southeastern Iowa efficiently.
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
107.1 miles from Council Bluffs, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
114.1 mi
2h 2m
IA 5
55.7 mi
1h 13m
South Clinton Street
20.6 mi
30m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.9 mi
14m
West Kanesville Boulevard
4.2 mi
7m
I 35
3.8 mi
4m
West Broadway
1 mi
2m
Ramp 72 H
0.4 mi
<1m
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 Centerville, 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
11 mi·11 min·IA 5; IA 92
13
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi·1 min·IA 5
14
Turn right onto IA 5
26 mi·37 min·IA 5
15
Turn straight onto IA 5
21 mi·30 min·South Clinton Street
16
Turn right onto East Washington Street
0.3 mi·1 min·East Washington Street
17
Turn left onto North 13th Street
359 ft·15 sec·North 13th Street
18
Continue on North 13th Street
302 ft·13 sec·North 13th Street
19
Arrive at destination
North 13th Street
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Council Bluffs in the morning will give you ample time to reach Centerville by mid-afternoon. With a duration of just over 4 hours, you likely won't need more than one planned stop, though the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 114 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $33, and it's always wise to top off before a longer segment. The flexibility of this one-day trip means you can depart at your leisure, but an early start ensures a relaxed arrival.
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 107.1 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 2h 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 47 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.1 miles or 2h 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Centerville, 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 214.1 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 119.2 and 214 — 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
5
119.9 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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,...
5
214 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|North 13th Street
Turn left onto North 13th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.47 one way
$66.94 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.75
$73.50
premium
$4.89
$41.20
$82.40
diesel
$5.61
$47.27
$94.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.2
0
$22.48
$10.28
Efficient EV
53.5
0
$18.73
$8.56
EV Truck/SUV
85.6
1
$29.97
$13.70
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Council Bluffs, IA
Night
in Council Bluffs on Saturday
Local time
11:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
WNW 10 to 18 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Centerville, IA
Night
in Centerville on Saturday
Local time
11:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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 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 20m 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?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 81% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 114.1 miles on I 80, offering a consistent pace. While much of the journey involves familiar interstate driving, the transition to IA 5 and South Clinton Street will introduce you to Iowa's state highway system. Expect a relatively smooth and predictable experience behind the wheel, with minimal complex intersections or slow-downs on the main thoroughfares.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and IA 5. 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 Effort7/10
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 214.1 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 119.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Council Bluffs, IA and Centerville, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.
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
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 214.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). 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 Centerville, 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 119.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Centerville, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
