Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Council Bluffs, IA to Elkader, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 16m
Distance
310.7 mi
500 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 4m
★
6 AM
6h 16m
8 AM
6h 41m
10 AM
6h 25m
12 PM
6h 22m
3 PM
6h 26m
5 PM
6h 40m
8 PM
6h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Elkader, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
Council Bluffs, IA to Elkader, IA is 310.7 miles and takes about 6h 16m via I 80 and US 20, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Iowa for its entirety. Most of the drive is on highways, making it a straightforward connection between these two points. With a recommended one-day drive, you can expect a relatively efficient transit, with the bulk of your travel on major interstates before transitioning to US highways. Consider this route if you need a direct path across the state with minimal complexity.
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
155.4 miles from Council Bluffs, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 132.7 mi | 2h 24m |
| US 20 | 57.1 mi | 1h 5m |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | 35.2 mi | 41m |
| Sanford Avenue | 15.9 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 13 | 13.1 mi | 17m |
| Washburn Avenue | 12.5 mi | 17m |
| 240th Street | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Marsh Avenue | 5.9 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 132.7 mi, about 2h 24m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,197 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~230 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 50 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs, IA and Elkader, 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
35 mi
·
41 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
11
Turn left onto IA 330
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Marsh Avenue
12
Continue on IA 330
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
13
Continue on IA 330
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
160th Street
14
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Sanford Avenue
15
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
240th Street
16
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
M Avenue
17
Continue on County Road T37
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road T37
18
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Street
19
Turn left onto IA 14
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
N Avenue
20
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
21
Merge onto US 20
29 mi
·
33 min
·
US 20
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
28 mi
·
32 min
·
US 20
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
24
Turn left onto IA 187
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Washburn Avenue
25
Continue on IA 187
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
C Avenue
26
Enter roundabout onto IA 3
20 ft
·
0 sec
·
40th Street
27
Continue on IA 3
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
40th Street
28
Continue on IA 3
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 3
29
Continue on IA 3
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Mission Street
30
Turn left onto IA 13
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Elkader Street
31
Continue on IA 13
13 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 13
32
Turn left onto IA 56
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Strawberry Point Road
33
Continue on IA 56
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
South 1st Street
34
Arrive at destination
IA 56
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 16m estimated drive time and 310.7 miles, leaving Council Bluffs in the morning is recommended to make the most of daylight. The longest stretch without a potential stop is 132.7 miles on I 80, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. With a $55 fuel cost estimate, you can budget accordingly. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but planning your transition from I 80 to US 20 will be key to a smooth continuation towards Elkader.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.4 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 2h 56m 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 68 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.4 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elkader, 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 310.7 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
155 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 155.4 miles from Council Bluffs, 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 132.7 miles.
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.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J - Avoca
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Casey's General Store
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.4 mi from route
Casey's Truck Stop
1.8 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
1.9 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 5.2 and 211.2 — 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
211.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m in
|
210th Street
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.66 one way
$103.31 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $56.27 | $112.54 |
| premium | $5.18 | $63.40 | $126.80 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $65.44 | $130.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.2 | 1 | $32.62 | $14.91 |
| Efficient EV | 77.7 | 0 | $27.19 | $12.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.3 | 1 | $43.50 | $19.88 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Origin
Council Bluffs, IA
Afternoon in Council Bluffs on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Clear
ESE 1 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Elkader, IA
Afternoon in Elkader on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 3 mph
4% chance
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
6h 16m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Effigy Mounds National Monument
National Monument
The mounds preserved here are considered sacred by many Americans, especially the Monument's 20 culturally associated American Indian tribes. A visit offers opportunities to contemplate the meanings o...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 310.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 66% of the 310.7 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 132.7 miles on I 80 before transitioning to US 20. This means you'll likely encounter a good number of exits and highway interchanges during the first part of your trip. The latter portion will shift to more rural cruising as you move away from the interstate system.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 20. 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 310.7 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
1,348 ft
732 ft
Total Climb
785 ft
Total Descent
1,042 ft
Highest Point
1,348 ft
~66.6 mi in
Elevation Range
616 ft
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.
Between Council Bluffs, IA and Elkader, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City and Bondurant.
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
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
J's Coffee & Donuts
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Council Bluffs, IA
Starbucks
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Altoona, IA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 04:30-20:00; Sa 05:00-20:30; Su 05...
Visit websiteNicolas
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Scooter's Java Express
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
JB's Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Cuisine: american
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Council Bluffs, IA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Elkader, IA
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: 09:30-20:00
Visit websiteCasey's
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Council Bluffs, IA
Cuisine: pizza
Visit websiteKFC
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Altoona, IA
Cuisine: chicken
Visit websiteTaco Bell
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Altoona, IA
Cuisine: tex-mex
Hours: 10:30-23:00
Visit websiteSpectators Sports Bar & Grill
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Altoona, IA
Cuisine: grill
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00
Visit websiteUncle Buck's Fishbowl & Grill
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Altoona
Cuisine: american
Visit websiteElkader City Park Campground
Camp_site
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Elkader, IA
Visit websiteHistoric Squirrel Cage Jail
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
IA
Deer Run Resort
Camp_site
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Giant Sky Wheel
Attraction
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Speedway Racers
Attraction
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
The Clipper
Attraction
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Carter House Museum
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
IA
Visit websiteBlockhouse Site
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Squirrel Nest
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Union Pacific Railroad Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Public Safety First Responders Plaza
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
RailsWest Railroad Museum
Museum
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
IA
Visit websiteElkader City Park Campground
Camp_site
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Elkader, IA
Visit websiteDeer Run Resort
Camp_site
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Prairie Meadows Hotel
Hotel
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Altoona
Broadway Motel
Motel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Des Moines
Elkader Inn
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Days Inn
Hotel
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Waterloo, IA
Visit websitePoints of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Council Bluffs, IA
Full guide →Founded 1854
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."
Top landmarks
- • Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial — statue in Council Bluffs, United States of America
- • Grenville M. Dodge House — historic house in Iowa, United States
- • RailsWest Railroad Museum — railway station in Council Bluffs, the United States of America
Arriving in Elkader, IA
Full guide →Founded 1846
Top landmarks
- • Elkader Downtown Historic District — nationally recognized historic district located in Elkader, Iowa, United States
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 6h 16m. Total distance: 310.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
Yes — we found about 19 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Elkader, 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. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Effigy Mounds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Elkader, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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