This 221.7-mile drive from Hampton to Council Bluffs, Iowa, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 8 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-80 and I-35, with a brief stretch on State Highway 3, this route is almost entirely highway driving at 97%. With an estimated fuel cost of $34, it's an efficient journey across the Midwest. The consistent highway profile makes it a straightforward trip, ideal for those looking to cover ground without many detours. You'll find this drive to be a practical option for getting between these two Iowa locations.
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
110.8 miles from Hampton, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
114.6 mi
2h 3m
I 35
92.1 mi
1h 40m
State Highway 3
9 mi
12m
East Kanesville Boulevard
3.7 mi
6m
Central Avenue East
1 mi
2m
West Broadway
0.4 mi
<1m
East Broadway
0.1 mi
<1m
Balsam Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 114.6 mi, about 2h 3m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 27 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,052 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,494
Quietest
2 AM
~151 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Hampton, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on US 65
27 ft·4 sec·4th Street Northeast
2
Turn right onto IA 3
1.0 mi·2 min·Central Avenue East
3
Continue on IA 3
9.0 mi·12 min·State Highway 3
4
Continue on IA 3
517 ft·13 sec·Balsam Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Hampton, Clarion
6
Merge onto I 35
78 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
14 mi·16 min·I 35
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, DavenportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi·20 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
11
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi·4 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
12
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Broadway
13
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi·2 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
14
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi·50 sec·West Broadway
15
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
Considering the 4-hour duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to give yourself ample time and flexibility for any unforeseen delays. With only one recommended stop noted, you have plenty of control over your pace. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 114.6-mile stretch on I-80, as services can be spread out. This straightforward highway drive means you can focus on reaching your destination efficiently.
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 110.8 miles from Hampton, IA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.6 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 49 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.8 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 21m
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 Hampton, 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 Hampton, IA
This is one driving day of about 221.7 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Hampton, 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 114.6 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.1 and 198 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.1 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the ramp toward Hampton, Clarion
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Hampton, Clarion
5
10.4 mi into trip|~15m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
88.2 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
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 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
7
102.5 mi into trip|~1h 56m 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
198 mi into trip|~3h 39m 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
$32.74 one way
$65.48 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.14
$72.29
premium
$4.72
$41.16
$82.33
diesel
$4.80
$41.86
$83.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.5
0
$23.28
$10.64
Efficient EV
55.4
0
$19.40
$8.87
EV Truck/SUV
88.7
1
$31.04
$14.19
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Hampton, IA
Late night
in Hampton on Sunday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
NNE 8 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:22PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Destination
Council Bluffs, IA
Late night
in Council Bluffs on Sunday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 3 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:22PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
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
11 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
4h 8m 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?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 4-hour trip. The route is dominated by interstate travel, offering a consistent pace. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 114.6 miles on I-80, so plan your breaks accordingly. With 97% of the drive on highways, this is a route built for efficiency rather than winding scenic byways. The character of the road remains largely the same, allowing for a predictable driving rhythm.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.6 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 35. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.1 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 221.7 miles you will encounter 7 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 10.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.4 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,268 ft841 ft
Total Climb
426 ft
Total Descent
642 ft
Highest Point
1,268 ft
~142.5 mi in
Elevation Range
426 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hampton, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Davenport 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 4h 8m. Total distance: 221.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.6 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.
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 10.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.4 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Council Bluffs, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
