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Trip from Mount Ayr, IA to Council Bluffs, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 55m

Distance

119.2 mi

192 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 44m ★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 17m
10 AM
3h 3m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 4m
5 PM
3h 16m
8 PM
2h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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human settlement in Ringgold County, Iowa, United States of America

Mount Ayr, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States

Council Bluffs, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 119.1-mile journey from Mount Ayr, IA, to Council Bluffs, IA, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 2 hours and 9 minutes. You'll navigate primarily using South Polk Street, East South Street, and Highway 25, with no significant highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $18. This route offers a straightforward drive through the Midwest region of Iowa, making it a convenient option for a quick transition between towns. Its manageable distance and duration mean you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stop.

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

59.6 miles from Mount Ayr, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 34 71.3 mi 1h 45m
US 275 14.1 mi 16m
State Highway 25 13 mi 19m
East South Street 12.3 mi 18m
Adams-Union Avenue 5.5 mi 8m
South Expressway 1.5 mi 2m
South Polk Street 0.3 mi 1m
West Broadway 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 34 — 71.3 mi, about 1h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mount Ayr, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.

1

Start on East Madison Street

287 ft · 17 sec · East Madison Street
2

Turn left onto South Polk Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · South Polk Street
3

At end of road, turn right onto US 169; IA 2

12 mi · 18 min · East South Street
4

Continue on IA 25

13 mi · 19 min · State Highway 25
5

Continue on IA 25

5.5 mi · 8 min · Adams-Union Avenue
6

Turn left onto US 34

71 mi · 1 hr 45 min · US 34
7

Take the ramp onto US 275

14 mi · 16 min · US 275
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Exit 49 Toward Downtown
9

Turn left onto South Expressway

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Expressway
10

Continue on South 6th Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · South 6th Street
11

Turn left onto Willow Avenue

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Willow Avenue
12

At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · South 8th Street
13

Turn left onto West Broadway

0.3 mi · 39 sec · West Broadway
14

Arrive at destination

West Broadway

Trip Plan

Given the 2 hour and 9 minute duration, you can depart Mount Ayr, IA, at any time that suits your schedule and still reach Council Bluffs, IA, comfortably within the same day. With only 119.1 miles and a $18 fuel cost, you won't need to worry about frequent fuel stops. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests keeping your navigation system or map readily accessible to manage the numerous turns. Plan to leave a bit earlier if you prefer a more relaxed pace, allowing for spontaneous, brief pauses if needed, though specific recommended stops are not provided.

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 59.6 miles from Mount Ayr, IA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.3 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 26 miles or 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 59.6 miles or 1h 29m 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 26m

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 Mount Ayr, 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 Mount Ayr, IA

This is one driving day of about 119.2 miles and 2h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Mount Ayr, 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 US 34 for about 71.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Villisca, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Villisca, IA

60 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

Cromwell, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Villisca, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.6 miles from Mount Ayr, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 34 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 119.2

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+17123228935

Visit website

Tish's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Council Bluffs, Iowa

2.2 mi

Apple Barrel Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Council Bluffs, Iowa

2.1 mi

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 119.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+17123228935

Visit website

Tish's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 119.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17123235456

Visit website

Apple Barrel Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 119.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17123223000

Visit website

Mercy Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 119.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+17128284200

Visit website

Casa De Oro Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68.1

Red Oak, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17126236383

Visit website

Classic Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.6

Malvern, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+17126248082

Visit website

Fig.

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 119.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15319991284

Visit website

Korean House Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 110.6

Bellevue, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+14022913900

Café Postale

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 119.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Closed

+14022845019

Visit website

The Salty Heifer Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.6

Malvern, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+17126248798

The Light House Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 110.6

Bellevue, Nebraska

Hours: 6 am–1:30 pm

+15317720137

Visit website

Light House Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 110.6

Bellevue, Nebraska

Hours: 6 am–7:30 pm

+15317720402

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 119.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 119.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 119.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 119.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 119.2

Omaha, NE

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 119.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 119.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 119.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17123665046

Visit website

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 119.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 119.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Lake Manawa State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 110.6

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 4 am–10:30 pm

+17123660220

Visit website

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 119.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+14026611804

Visit website

The Old Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 119.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–1:30 pm

+14023464445

Visit website

Museum Of Shadows

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 119.2

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 2–10 pm

+14028857557

Visit website

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 0.1 and 118.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Polk Street

Turn left onto South Polk Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 169; IA 2 / East South Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 169; IA 2 / East South Street

Navigation decision point

4
31.1 mi into trip | ~47m in | US 34

Turn left onto US 34

Navigation decision point

5
116.4 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in

Take the exit toward Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 49 Toward Downtown
6
118.7 mi into trip | ~2h 53m in | South 8th Street

At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.64 one way

$37.27 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.46 $40.92
premium $4.89 $22.94 $45.88
diesel $5.61 $26.32 $52.64

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.8 0 $12.52 $5.72
Efficient EV 29.8 0 $10.43 $4.77
EV Truck/SUV 47.7 0 $16.69 $7.63

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Mount Ayr, IA

Late night in Mount Ayr on Sunday

Local time

2:31 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Council Bluffs, IA

Late night in Council Bluffs on Sunday

Local time

2:31 AM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

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

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

2h 55m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 119.1-mile route, as it features a 0% highway share. This means you'll be on more winding, local roads rather than straightaways. Without a specified longest stretch, assume frequent intersections and changes in direction are part of the experience. The character of the drive is consistent, focusing on navigating through local terrain rather than covering long distances at high speeds. It's a route that requires your attention to road signs and turns.

84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.3 mi on US 34.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 34 and US 275. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Polk Street.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Mount Ayr, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is easy. At 2h 55m with 84% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Polk Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 169; IA 2 / East South Street): Navigation decision point; at 31.1 miles (US 34): Navigation decision point.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 119.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 71.3 miles on US 34. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 0.1 miles (South Polk Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 169; IA 2 / East South Street): Navigation decision point; at 31.1 miles (US 34): Navigation decision point.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Council Bluffs, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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