This 260.2-mile drive from Mount Vernon, Iowa, to Council Bluffs, Iowa, is a straightforward journey across the Midwest, designed to be completed in about 4 hours and 52 minutes. It's an ideal candidate for a single-day road trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 97% of it being on major interstates. Budget around $41 for fuel, and plan for just one main stop along the way. This trip offers a practical and efficient passage through the heart of Iowa.
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
130.1 miles from Mount Vernon, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
236.8 mi
4h 16m
Highway 1 Northeast
10.7 mi
14m
State Highway 1
5.5 mi
7m
East Kanesville Boulevard
3.7 mi
6m
North Market Street
1.4 mi
2m
North Dodge Street
0.5 mi
<1m
1st Avenue South
0.4 mi
<1m
West Broadway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 236.8 mi, about 4h 16m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,937 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,333
Quietest
2 AM
~176 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Mount Vernon, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on this road
75 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn left
65 ft·10 sec
3
Turn left onto 1st Street East
230 ft·13 sec·1st Street East
4
Turn left onto IA 1
0.4 mi·34 sec·1st Avenue South
5
Continue on IA 1
0.1 mi·19 sec·State Highway 1
6
Enter roundabout onto US 30 Bus; IA 1
121 ft·5 sec·State Highway 1
7
Continue on US 30 Bus; IA 1
5.3 mi·7 min·State Highway 1
8
Continue on IA 1
3.2 mi·4 min·Highway 1 Northeast
9
Continue on IA 1
1.4 mi·2 min·North Market Street
10
Continue on IA 1
7.5 mi·10 min·Highway 1 Northeast
11
Continue on North Dodge Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·North Dodge Street
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
13
Merge onto I 80
122 mi·2 hr 13 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi·20 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
17
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi·4 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
18
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Broadway
19
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi·2 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
20
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi·50 sec·West Broadway
21
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
Given its manageable 4-hour and 52-minute duration, this trip works best as a single-day excursion. Leaving Mount Vernon earlier in the morning, perhaps around 8 or 9 AM, will give you ample time to reach Council Bluffs by mid-afternoon, with a small buffer. With only one recommended stop and a long stretch on I 80, ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that main segment. The $41 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially during that 236.8-mile stretch.
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 130.1 miles from Mount Vernon, IA, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.8 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 57 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.1 miles or 2h 28m 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 58m
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 Vernon, 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 Vernon, IA
This is one driving day of about 260.2 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Mount Vernon, 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 236.8 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 236.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|1st Street East
Turn left onto 1st Street East
Navigation decision point
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|US 30 Bus; IA 1 / State Highway 1
Enter roundabout onto US 30 Bus; IA 1 / State Highway 1
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
18.8 mi into trip|~27m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
141 mi into trip|~2h 40m 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
236.5 mi into trip|~4h 23m 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
$40.34 one way
$80.68 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$44.23
$88.47
premium
$4.93
$50.48
$100.97
diesel
$5.60
$57.36
$114.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.1
0
$27.32
$12.49
Efficient EV
65.1
0
$22.77
$10.41
EV Truck/SUV
104.1
1
$36.43
$16.65
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Aug 27, 2026
Origin
Mount Vernon, IA
Late night
in Mount Vernon on Saturday
Local time
5:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Council Bluffs, IA
Late night
in Council Bluffs on Saturday
Local time
5:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
N 2 mph0% chanceLive 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
2 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 52m 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 drive for the majority of this trip, with 97% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 80. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 236.8 miles on I 80, which forms the backbone of this journey. While primarily interstate, you'll also navigate some segments of State Highway 1 and Highway 1 Northeast. The character of the drive is largely consistent, prioritizing efficient travel over varied scenery, making it a predictable and purposeful transit across the state.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 236.8 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Highway 1 Northeast. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 1st Street East.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 52m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (1st Street East): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 30 Bus; IA 1 / State Highway 1): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 18.8 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,356 ft721 ft
Total Climb
788 ft
Total Descent
679 ft
Highest Point
1,356 ft
~185.8 mi in
Elevation Range
635 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Mount Vernon, IA to Council Bluffs, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.
Omaha Nebraska
236.5 mi in|~4h 23m|via I 80
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Zamora's Market
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-24:00; Sa 11:00-24:00; Su 13...
Mount Vernon is a city located in the I-380 Corridor region of Eastern Iowa. Home to historic Cornell College, Mount Vernon is a vibrant community uniquely influenced by the college but possessing an individual identity. It is frequently cited in travel magazines for its unique culture and excellent food.
Top landmarks
•Abbe Creek School — schoolhouse museum near Mt Vernon, Iowa, USA
•Mount Vernon Commercial Historic District — historic district in Mount Vernon, Iowa
•Adams R., Frederick L. and Martha (Taylor) Knott House — house in Mount Vernon, Iowa
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
The longest stretch is about 236.8 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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: near the start (1st Street East): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 30 Bus; IA 1 / State Highway 1): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 18.8 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Council Bluffs, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
