Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Council Bluffs, IA to Osage, 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
5h 14m
Distance
276.3 mi
445 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
47 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 1m
★
6 AM
5h 14m
8 AM
5h 41m
10 AM
5h 24m
12 PM
5h 21m
3 PM
5h 25m
5 PM
5h 40m
8 PM
5h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Osage, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Council Bluffs to Osage is 276.3 miles and takes about 5h 14m via I 80, I 35, and US 18, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, connecting the Midwest to the Midwest. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward drive. With a duration under six hours, it's perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
138.1 miles from Council Bluffs, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 128.2 mi | 2h 18m |
| I 35 | 103.6 mi | 1h 51m |
| US 18 | 27.1 mi | 31m |
| Lancer Avenue | 9.9 mi | 17m |
| West Kanesville Boulevard | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| South 7th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Broadway | 1 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 128.2 mi, about 2h 18m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,599 veh/hr typical · worst 3,039
Quietest
2 AM
~180 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 40 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 Osage, 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 right at fork onto I 35
104 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
9
Merge onto US 18; IA 27
27 mi
·
31 min
·
US 18; IA 27
10
Turn left onto CR T38
9.9 mi
·
17 min
·
Lancer Avenue
11
Continue on South 7th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South 7th Street
12
Turn right onto US 218; IA 9
38 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
13
Arrive at destination
US 218; IA 9
Trip Plan
This 276.3-mile drive is easily manageable in one day, so leaving in the morning gives you flexibility. The 5h 14m estimated drive time doesn't include stops, so plan for a brief break or two. With a fuel cost estimated around $49, it's a budget-friendly trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of the 128.2-mile stretch on I 80, as services can be spaced out on US 18.
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 138.1 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.2 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 61 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.1 miles or 2h 34m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Osage, 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 276.3 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 128.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 138.1 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 128.2 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.
Rest Area
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Casey's Truck Stop
0.2 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
Love's
0.2 mi from route
I-35 Dows Rest Stop
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 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 85 decision points cluster between mile 5.2 and 237.3 — 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.
3
5.4 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining
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...
8
133.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, De...
5
237.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m in
Take the exit toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Cha...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.94 one way
$91.88 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $50.04 | $100.08 |
| premium | $5.18 | $56.38 | $112.76 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $58.20 | $116.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
EV Charging Along Route
47 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Ames, Iowa
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Ames, Iowa
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Ames, Iowa
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Ames, Iowa
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Ames, Iowa
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Ames, Iowa
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Ames, Iowa
EV Connect
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Omaha, Nebraska
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 29
Other: 9
Shell Recharge: 4
Tesla: 2
EV Connect: 1
Electrify America: 1
Blink: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.9 | 1 | $29.01 | $13.26 |
| Efficient EV | 69.1 | 0 | $24.18 | $11.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.5 | 1 | $38.68 | $17.68 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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
86°F
Mostly Sunny
SSE 9 to 14 mph
11% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Osage, IA
Afternoon in Osage on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
S 10 to 16 mph
0% 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
4 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
5h 14m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 94% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on I 80 covering 128.2 miles. The transition to surface roads will occur after the primary highway segments. Expect a consistent cruising experience with numerous exits along the interstate sections.
94% 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: 128.2 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 35. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 276.3 miles you will encounter 8 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 5.4 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 119.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,344 ft
880 ft
Total Climb
820 ft
Total Descent
628 ft
Highest Point
1,344 ft
~78.9 mi in
Elevation Range
464 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 Osage, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Charles City.
Minneapolis
119.2 mi in
|
~2h 13m
|
via I 80
Kansas City
119.2 mi in
|
~2h 13m
|
via I 80
Des Moines
133.6 mi in
|
~2h 29m
|
via I 35
Charles City
237.3 mi in
|
~4h 21m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Kountry Kupboard
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
J's Coffee & Donuts
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Council Bluffs, IA
Nicolas
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 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 websiteMcDonald's
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: burger
Hours: 24/7
Visit websiteChester's
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: chicken
Pizza Counter
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Council Bluffs, IA
Visit websiteDough Boyz
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Council Bluffs, IA
Cuisine: pizza;sandwich
Visit websiteRunza
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Council Bluffs, IA
Cuisine: sandwich;burger
Hours: Mo-Th 10:30-21:30; Fr-Sa 10:30-21:30; Su...
Visit websiteHistoric Squirrel Cage Jail
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
IA
Tree on the road
Attraction
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Tree in the Road
Attraction
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Spring Park Campground
Camp_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Osage, IA
Ship Propellers
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Ship Guns
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Blockhouse 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 websiteRuth Anne Dodge Memorial
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Super 8
Motel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Osage, IA
Visit websiteSpring Park Campground
Camp_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Osage, IA
Motel 6
Motel
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
Motel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Mason City, IA
Visit websiteComfort Inn & Suites
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Hampton Inn
Hotel
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Mason City, 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 Osage, IA
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Nathaniel Cobb and Lucetia Baily Deering House — house in Osage, Iowa
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 5h 14m. Total distance: 276.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.2 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 Osage, 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 5.4 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 119.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Osage, 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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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