Origin
Council Bluffs, IA
Night in Council Bluffs on Saturday
Local time
9:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Council Bluffs, IA to Mitchellville, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
146.6 mi
236 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 8m
10 AM
2h 54m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 55m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Mitchellville, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Council Bluffs, IA to Mitchellville, IA is 146.6 miles and takes about 2h 45m via I 80, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, same-day trip primarily through the Midwest region, entirely within Iowa. You'll be on the interstate for most of the journey, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a quick transit rather than a leisurely exploration. Consider this route for its efficiency and ease of navigation, as it's designed for direct travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
73.3 miles from Council Bluffs, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 139.6 mi | 2h 31m |
| West Kanesville Boulevard | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| West Broadway | 1 mi | 2m |
| 6th Street Northwest | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 112th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Center Avenue North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 2nd Street Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 139.6 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs, IA and Mitchellville, 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
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 80
Use the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 149
Toward Mitchellville
9
Turn right onto CR S27
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Northeast 112th Street
10
Turn left onto CR S27
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
6th Street Northwest
11
Turn right onto CR S27
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Center Avenue North
12
Turn left onto 2nd Street Northeast
97 ft
·
4 sec
·
2nd Street Northeast
13
Arrive at destination
2nd Street Northeast
Trip Plan
Given this is a 146.6-mile drive with a duration of around 2 hours and 45 minutes, you have ample flexibility. Leaving anytime in the morning or early afternoon should allow you to reach Mitchellville before dark. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $23, planning around one fuel and rest break is sufficient. Keep an eye on I 80 for any potential traffic delays, especially if traveling during peak commuting hours, as it's your primary artery for this journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.3 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.6 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.3 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mitchellville, 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 146.6 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 139.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.3 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 139.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 5.2 and 146.6 — 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.
5
145 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward Mitchellville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 149
Toward Mitchellville
4
146.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
2nd Street Northeast
Turn left onto 2nd Street Northeast
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.92 one way
$45.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.16 | $50.33 |
| premium | $4.89 | $28.21 | $56.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.37 | $64.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44 | 0 | $15.39 | $7.04 |
| Efficient EV | 36.7 | 0 | $12.83 | $5.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.6 | 0 | $20.52 | $9.38 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Mitchellville, IA
Night in Mitchellville on Saturday
Local time
9:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°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
2h 45m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 95% of the travel occurring on major roads like I 80. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 139.6 miles on I 80, meaning extended periods of consistent highway driving. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of the trip, with minimal deviations from the interstate. The character remains largely consistent, emphasizing forward momentum over varied scenery.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139.6 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and West Kanesville Boulevard. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 146.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
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 Mitchellville, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis and Kansas City.
Minneapolis
119.2 mi in
|
~2h 13m
|
via I 80
Kansas City
119.2 mi in
|
~2h 13m
|
via I 80
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 146.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.6 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Mitchellville, IA before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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