Council Bluffs, IA to Keokuk, IA is 312.3 miles and takes about 6h 2m via I 80 and IA 163, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route primarily uses interstate highways for a significant portion of the drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. Given its manageable length and predominantly highway profile, it's a practical choice for getting between these two Iowa cities without requiring an overnight stay.
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
156.2 miles from Council Bluffs, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m 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
Avenue of the Saints
26.5 mi
30m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.9 mi
14m
US 218
10 mi
15m
US 61
5.7 mi
6m
West Kanesville Boulevard
4.2 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 114.1 mi, about 2h 2m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,459 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,858
Quietest
2 AM
~151 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 34 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 Keokuk, 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
26 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
16
Take the exit onto US 218
0.4 mi·52 sec·US 218
Toward US 218 South: Keokuk
17
Turn left onto US 218
9.6 mi·14 min·US 218
18
Turn right onto US 61; US 218
5.7 mi·6 min·US 61; US 218
19
Continue on US 218; US 61 Business
3.5 mi·5 min·Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 136
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Council Bluffs to ensure you arrive in Keokuk with plenty of daylight. The 312.3-mile distance is easily manageable in one day, so you can be flexible with your timing. While the fuel cost is estimated at $55, it's always wise to factor in a little extra. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the latter half of the trip when you're off the main interstates, as services might be less frequent. Plan for one main stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point.
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 156.2 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 2h 57m 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 69 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.2 miles or 2h 57m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Keokuk, 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 312.3 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.2 and 123.7 — 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...
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,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.92 one way
$103.85 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$56.56
$113.12
premium
$5.18
$63.73
$127.45
diesel
$5.35
$65.78
$131.56
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: 109.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.7
1
$32.79
$14.99
Efficient EV
78.1
0
$27.33
$12.49
EV Truck/SUV
124.9
1
$43.72
$19.99
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Council Bluffs, IA
Afternoon
in Council Bluffs on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Clear
ESE 1 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Keokuk, IA
Afternoon
in Keokuk on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 mph23% chanceLive forecast
88°F
Carlisle, IA
156 mi in
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
6h 2m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 84% of this 312.3-mile drive on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 114.1 miles on I 80. After leaving the interstate system, you'll transition to surface roads for the final segment of your trip. Expect to notice the transition from frequent interstate exits to a more rural cruising pace as you near your destination.
84% 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?
8/10
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 5.2 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 312.3 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 119.5 miles (Ramp 72 H): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,321 ft569 ft
Total Climb
487 ft
Total Descent
907 ft
Highest Point
1,321 ft
~66.9 mi in
Elevation Range
751 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 Keokuk, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 312.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Keokuk, 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 11 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 119.5 miles (Ramp 72 H): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Keokuk, IA before the return drive.
