Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Council Bluffs, IA to Slater, 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
2h 50m
Distance
143.3 mi
231 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 39m
★
6 AM
2h 50m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Council Bluffs, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Slater, IA
Arturo Añez.
Trip Overview
Council Bluffs, IA to Slater, IA is 143.3 miles and takes about 2h 50m via I 80, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically Iowa, making it a straightforward trip. With 83% of the route on the interstate, you'll experience a good amount of highway cruising. This is a solid one-day option if you're looking for a relatively quick transit between these two points.
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
71.6 miles from Council Bluffs, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 118.3 mi | 2h 7m |
| West Kanesville Boulevard | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Northwest 44th Street | 3 mi | 4m |
| Southeast Grimes Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Northwest 114th Street | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Northwest Sheldahl Drive | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Northwest Saylorville Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South 3rd Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 118.3 mi, about 2h 7m
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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Slater, 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
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
I 80
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 127B
Toward IA 141 West: Grimes
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto IA 141
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast Grimes Boulevard
9
Continue on IA 141
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Grimes Boulevard
10
Continue on IA 141
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 114th Street
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 415, NW Saylorville Drive: Polk City
12
At end of road, turn right onto IA 415
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest Saylorville Drive
13
Enter roundabout onto IA 415
134 ft
·
2 sec
·
Northwest Saylorville Drive
14
Continue on IA 415
281 ft
·
5 sec
·
Northwest Saylorville Drive
15
Continue on IA 415
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Northwest 112th Street
16
Continue on IA 415
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Mile Long Bridge
17
Continue on IA 415
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Bridge Road
18
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South 3rd Street
19
Enter roundabout onto North 3rd Street
128 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 3rd Street
20
Continue on North 3rd Street
217 ft
·
5 sec
·
North 3rd Street
21
Turn straight onto CR R38
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest Sheldahl Drive
22
Continue on CR R38
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest 58th Street
23
Turn right onto Northwest 142nd Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest 142nd Avenue
24
Turn left onto Northwest 44th Street
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Northwest 44th Street
25
Continue on 510th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
510th Avenue
26
Continue on South Linn Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Linn Street
27
Arrive at destination
South Linn Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with departure time. Leaving Council Bluffs in the morning means you'll likely hit your longest stretch on I 80 before midday. With a fuel cost estimated at $25, filling up before you leave is a good idea. There's only one recommended stop, so you can easily do this drive in a single day without feeling rushed. Keep an eye out for the transition off I 80 as you get closer to Slater.
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 71.6 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.3 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 71.6 miles or 1h 22m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Slater, 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 143.3 miles and 2h 50m.
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 118.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 71.6 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 118.3 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
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J - Avoca
0.2 mi from route
Love's
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 119.2 and 131.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
7
123.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward IA 141 West: Grimes
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 127B
Toward IA 141 West: Grimes
5
129.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward IA 415, NW Saylorville Drive: Polk City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 415, NW Saylorville Drive: Polk City
5
130.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
|
IA 415 / Northwest Saylorville Drive
At end of road, turn right onto IA 415 / Northwest Saylorville Drive
Navigation decision point
5
131.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
|
IA 415 / Northwest Saylorville Drive
Enter roundabout onto IA 415 / Northwest Saylorville Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.83 one way
$47.65 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $25.95 | $51.90 |
| premium | $5.18 | $29.24 | $58.48 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $30.18 | $60.37 |
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: 50.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43 | 0 | $15.05 | $6.88 |
| Efficient EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.54 | $5.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.06 | $9.17 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Council Bluffs, IA
Evening in Council Bluffs on Wednesday
Local time
5:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 7 to 12 mph
59% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Slater, IA
Evening in Slater on Wednesday
Local time
5:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 to 9 mph
40% 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 50m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 83% of the 143.3 miles on I 80. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 118.3 miles on I 80. Expect a mostly rural feel with occasional exits as you transition from interstate to surface roads. The final leg will involve navigating local streets as you approach Slater.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.3 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 119.2 miles in near I 80.
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 143.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 119.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,383 ft
836 ft
Total Climb
662 ft
Total Descent
613 ft
Highest Point
1,383 ft
~71.6 mi in
Elevation Range
547 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 Slater, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City and Nw Saylorville Drive: Polk City.
Minneapolis
119.2 mi in
|
~2h 13m
|
via I 80
Kansas City
119.2 mi in
|
~2h 13m
|
via I 80
Nw Saylorville Drive: Polk City
129.9 mi in
|
~2h 27m
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 Slater, IA
Full guide →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 2h 50m. Total distance: 143.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.3 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 119.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Slater, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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