Dyersville to Council Bluffs is 301 miles and takes about 5h 56m via I 80, US 20, and IA 330, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Iowa, traversing the heart of the Midwest. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making this a straightforward point-to-point drive. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground across the state without much fuss.
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
150.5 miles from Dyersville, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
120.2 mi
2h 9m
US 20
59.4 mi
1h 8m
IA 330
35.9 mi
42m
Avenue of the Saints
23.5 mi
27m
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi
21m
US 65
13 mi
15m
240th Street
6.3 mi
9m
Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 120.2 mi, about 2h 9m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,367 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,746
Quietest
2 AM
~190 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.5×
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 Dyersville, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Street Southeast
56 ft·6 sec·2nd Street Southeast
2
Turn left onto 1st Avenue East
1.1 mi·1 min·1st Avenue East
3
Enter roundabout onto 332nd Avenue
204 ft·4 sec·332nd Avenue
4
Continue on 332nd Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·332nd Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward US 20 West: Waterloo
6
Merge onto US 20
59 mi·1 hr 8 min·US 20
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
23 mi·27 min·Avenue of the Saints
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
9
Turn left onto IA 14
4.5 mi·6 min·N Avenue
10
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·210th Street
11
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road T37
12
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·M Avenue
13
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi·9 min·240th Street
14
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi·21 min·Sanford Avenue
15
Turn right onto IA 330
4.3 mi·5 min·160th Street
16
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·North Main Street
17
Continue on IA 330
5.9 mi·8 min·Marsh Avenue
18
Turn right onto IA 330
36 mi·42 min·IA 330
19
Take the exit onto US 65
13 mi·15 min·US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 80; I 35
5.6 mi·6 min·I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
96 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: OmahaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi·20 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
24
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi·4 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
25
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Broadway
26
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi·2 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
27
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi·50 sec·West Broadway
28
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 56m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. You'll have one planned stop, but with the drive being under six hours, you'll maintain flexibility. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially before longer stretches on I 80, as services can be spaced out. Aim to fuel up before leaving Dyersville or after the first significant portion of highway driving to manage your $46 budget effectively.
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 150.5 miles from Dyersville, IA, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.2 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 66 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.5 miles or 3h 7m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Council Bluffs, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dyersville, 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 Dyersville, IA
This is one driving day of about 301 miles and 5h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Dyersville, 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 120.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 85.3 and 277.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
85.3 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
5
91.2 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|County Road T37
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
163.3 mi into trip|~3h 22m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
7
181.8 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
6
277.4 mi into trip|~5h 27m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebrask...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.45 one way
$88.90 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$49.07
$98.14
premium
$4.72
$55.89
$111.77
diesel
$4.80
$56.83
$113.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.3
1
$31.61
$14.45
Efficient EV
75.3
0
$26.34
$12.04
EV Truck/SUV
120.4
1
$42.14
$19.26
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Dyersville, IA
Evening
in Dyersville on Saturday
Local time
8:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Council Bluffs, IA
Evening
in Council Bluffs on Saturday
Local time
8:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 8 to 12 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 56m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 76% of the total distance on high-speed roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 120.2 miles on I 80, indicating significant periods of consistent cruising. Expect the transition from highway to surface roads around mile 230. The high percentage of highway suggests a generally open feel with fewer interruptions until you reach the latter part of the trip.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 120.2 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 85.3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 301 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 85.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.2 miles (County Road T37): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 163.3 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
1,325 ft813 ft
Total Climb
727 ft
Total Descent
689 ft
Highest Point
1,325 ft
~258 mi in
Elevation Range
512 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dyersville, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Grundy Center and Omaha Nebraska.
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 5h 56m. Total distance: 301 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 120.2 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 Council Bluffs, 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 85.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.2 miles (County Road T37): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 163.3 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Council Bluffs, IA before the return drive.
