Council Bluffs, IA to Waukon, IA is 333 miles and takes about 6h 55m via I 80 and Northeast Hubbell Road, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, offering a straightforward drive across Iowa. With a recommended single day of travel, it's a good option if you're looking for a direct route to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The majority of your travel will be on major interstates before transitioning to surface roads as you near Waukon.
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
166.5 miles from Council Bluffs, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
132.7 mi
2h 24m
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi
41m
Larrabee Avenue
22.8 mi
26m
Harding Road
16.9 mi
23m
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi
21m
230th Street
13 mi
17m
US 20
11.2 mi
12m
270th Street
10.9 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 132.7 mi, about 2h 24m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,197 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~230 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 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 Waukon, 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
4.5 mi·5 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 65
0.5 mi·1 min·US 65
Exit 142Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, BondurantUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
10
Continue on US 65; IA 330
35 mi·41 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
11
Turn left onto IA 330
5.9 mi·8 min·Marsh Avenue
12
Continue on IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·South Main Street
13
Continue on IA 330
4.3 mi·5 min·160th Street
14
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi·21 min·Sanford Avenue
15
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi·9 min·240th Street
16
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·M Avenue
17
Continue on County Road T37
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road T37
18
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·210th Street
19
Turn left onto IA 14
4.4 mi·6 min·N Avenue
20
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
21
Merge onto US 20
11 mi·12 min·US 20
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
23
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Grundy Road
24
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi·4 min·University Avenue
25
Enter roundabout onto Greenhill Road
8 ft·0 sec·Greenhill Road
26
Continue on Greenhill Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Greenhill Road
27
Turn left onto IA 27; IA 58
2.7 mi·3 min·Avenue of the Saints
28
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 185Toward US 218 South: WaterlooUse the slight right lane.
29
Merge onto US 218
0.7 mi·48 sec·Leo P Rooff Expressway
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward Broadway Street: Airport
31
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
0.3 mi·35 sec·Airport Boulevard
32
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3.0 mi·5 min·West Airline Highway
33
Turn left onto US 63
6.9 mi·8 min·Logan Avenue
34
Continue on US 63
23 mi·26 min·Larrabee Avenue
35
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
36
At end of road, turn left onto US 18
5.4 mi·7 min·270th Street
37
Continue on US 18
0.9 mi·1 min·West Main Street
38
Continue on US 18
5.5 mi·7 min·270th Street
39
Continue on US 18
13 mi·17 min·230th Street
40
Continue on US 18
1.3 mi·1 min·West Bradford Street
41
Continue on US 18
17 mi·23 min·Harding Road
42
Turn left onto IA 51
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Lawler Street
43
Continue on IA 51
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 51
44
Turn right onto IA 9
4.7 mi·7 min·State Highway 9
45
Turn left onto IA 9; IA 76
2.0 mi·3 min·Rossville Road
46
Turn right onto IA 9
56 ft·6 sec·West Main Street
47
Turn left onto IA 9
50 ft·0 sec·Allamakee Street Northwest
48
Arrive at destination
IA 9
Trip Plan
Given the 6 hour and 55 minute drive time, leaving Council Bluffs in the morning should allow you to reach Waukon before evening. You'll have one scheduled stop, but with this duration, you can easily adjust your breaks as needed. Keep an eye on fuel as you approach the end of your drive, especially as you transition off I 80. The fuel cost estimate is around $52, so factor that into your budget. Since this trip is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to depart a little later if needed, but an early start is still recommended for a relaxed pace.
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 166.5 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.7 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 73 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.5 miles or 3h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waukon, 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 333 miles and 6h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 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 132.7 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 119.2 and 237.2 — 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...
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.
8
138.1 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
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 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...
5
211.2 mi into trip|~4h 10m in|210th Street
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
237.2 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Take the exit toward US 218 South: Waterloo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 185
Toward US 218 South: Waterloo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.63 one way
$103.26 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$56.61
$113.22
premium
$4.93
$64.61
$129.21
diesel
$5.60
$73.40
$146.81
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: 116.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.9
1
$34.97
$15.98
Efficient EV
83.3
0
$29.14
$13.32
EV Truck/SUV
133.2
1
$46.62
$21.31
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Forecast as of Aug 23, 2026
Origin
Council Bluffs, IA
Night
in Council Bluffs on Tuesday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
E 2 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Waukon, IA
Night
in Waukon on Tuesday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Clear
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
89°F
Colfax, IA
167 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
9 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 55m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Effigy Mounds National Monument
National Monument
The mounds preserved here are considered sacred by many Americans, especially the Monument's 20 culturally associated American Indian tribes. A visit offers opportunities to contemplate the meanings o...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 333
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Nearly half of this 333-mile drive, about 160 miles, is on highways. You'll spend the longest stretch, 132.7 miles, on I 80. After that, you'll transition to surface roads like Northeast Hubbell Road and Larrabee Avenue. Expect a shift from the high-speed interstate cruising to more typical rural road driving with potentially more intersections and lower speed limits.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.7 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 119.2 miles in near I 80.
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 28 significant decision points across 333 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 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; at 138.1 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,382 ft862 ft
Total Climb
842 ft
Total Descent
596 ft
Highest Point
1,382 ft
~71.4 mi in
Elevation Range
520 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 Waukon, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Bondurant, Cr D18: Cedar Falls and Broadway Street: Airport.
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 55m. Total distance: 333 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.7 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Waukon, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 133.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.1 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Effigy Mounds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waukon, IA before the return drive.
