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
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,658 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,087
Quietest
2 AM
~207 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 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 123BToward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas CityUse 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 149Toward 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 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
$24.37 one way
$48.75 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$26.55
$53.10
premium
$5.18
$29.91
$59.83
diesel
$5.35
$30.88
$61.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
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, 2026-06-01.
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.
Forecast as of May 28, 2026
Origin
Council Bluffs, IA
Afternoon
in Council Bluffs on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mitchellville, IA
Afternoon
in Mitchellville on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Cloudy
ENE 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
3 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
2h 45m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 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 Effort5/10
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,458 ft850 ft
Total Climb
655 ft
Total Descent
671 ft
Highest Point
1,458 ft
~73.3 mi in
Elevation Range
609 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 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
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 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 — we found about 17 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.
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.
