This 316.5-mile journey from Postville, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 16 minutes to complete. With a fuel cost estimated at $48, it's an economical trip through the heart of the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes local roads like West Tilden Street, Mill Street, and East Bradford Street, indicating a more hands-on driving experience rather than highway cruising, as it has a 0% highway share. You'll navigate a turn-heavy local drive, making it a good option for those who enjoy frequent adjustments. Plan for one planned stop to break up the drive.
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
156.8 miles from Postville, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
120.2 mi
2h 9m
IA 330
35.9 mi
42m
McCloud Avenue
22.4 mi
25m
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi
21m
230th Street
13 mi
17m
US 65
13 mi
15m
US 20
11.3 mi
13m
270th Street
11.1 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 120.2 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Postville, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on IA 51
38 ft·2 sec·North Lawler Street
2
Turn right onto US 18; US 52
7.8 mi·10 min·West Tilden Street
3
Continue on US 18
9.1 mi·12 min·Mill Street
4
Continue on US 18
1.3 mi·1 min·East Bradford Street
5
Continue on US 18
13 mi·17 min·230th Street
6
Continue on US 18
5.5 mi·7 min·270th Street
7
Continue on US 18
0.9 mi·1 min·East Main Street
8
Continue on US 18
5.6 mi·7 min·270th Street
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·57 sec
10
Merge onto US 63
22 mi·25 min·McCloud Avenue
11
Continue on US 63
6.9 mi·8 min·Logan Avenue
12
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3.0 mi·5 min·West Airline Highway
13
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·Airport Boulevard
14
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 218 north
15
Merge onto US 218
0.6 mi·40 sec·Leo P Rooff Expressway
16
Take the exit onto US 218
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 218
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
18
Merge onto IA 27; IA 58
1.2 mi·1 min·Avenue of the Saints
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 183Toward University Avenue
20
Keep slight right at fork
333 ft·8 sec
21
Turn straight onto University Avenue
1.8 mi·2 min·University Avenue
22
Enter roundabout onto University Avenue
124 ft·2 sec·University Avenue
23
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi·4 min·University Avenue
24
Continue on Grundy Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Grundy Road
25
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Use the right lane.
26
Merge onto US 20
11 mi·13 min·US 20
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
28
Turn left onto IA 14
4.5 mi·6 min·N Avenue
29
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·210th Street
30
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road T37
31
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·M Avenue
32
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi·9 min·240th Street
33
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi·21 min·Sanford Avenue
34
Turn right onto IA 330
4.3 mi·5 min·160th Street
35
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·North Main Street
36
Continue on IA 330
5.9 mi·8 min·Marsh Avenue
37
Turn right onto IA 330
36 mi·42 min·IA 330
38
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.
39
Continue on I 80; I 35
5.6 mi·6 min·I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
40
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.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi·20 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
42
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
43
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi·4 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
44
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Broadway
45
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi·2 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
46
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi·50 sec·West Broadway
47
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 16-minute duration and 316.5-mile distance, this trip is best tackled in one day. Consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for the numerous turns and local road conditions. With a fuel cost around $48, budgeting is straightforward. Since it's a turn-heavy drive, keep your navigation readily accessible and be mindful of your surroundings as you'll be making frequent adjustments. The single recommended stop offers a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel.
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 156.8 miles from Postville, IA, or about 3h 29m 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 69 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.8 miles or 3h 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 5h 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 Postville, 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 Postville, IA
This is one driving day of about 313.6 miles and 6h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Postville, 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 76.1 and 290 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
76.1 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the ramp toward US 218 north
Navigation decision point
Toward US 218 north
6
77.5 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
7
175.9 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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
194.5 mi into trip|~4h 14m 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
290 mi into trip|~5h 56m 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
$49.03 one way
$98.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$53.83
$107.66
premium
$4.89
$60.35
$120.70
diesel
$5.61
$69.24
$138.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.1
1
$32.93
$15.05
Efficient EV
78.4
0
$27.44
$12.54
EV Truck/SUV
125.4
1
$43.90
$20.07
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Postville, IA
Evening
in Postville on Saturday
Local time
8:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Council Bluffs, IA
Evening
in Council Bluffs on Saturday
Local time
8:13 PM
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
9 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
6h 26m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a driving experience that is predominantly local and turn-heavy, with no highway mileage to speak of. This means you'll be engaging with the road frequently, making it feel more like a series of connected local explorations than a high-speed transit. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the profile suggests a continuous engagement with smaller roads and intersections. This type of drive offers a different kind of immersion, connecting you more directly with the landscape as you navigate through it.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
47 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?
9/10
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 76.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 313.6 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 76.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 77.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.9 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Postville, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Uni, Grundy Center and Omaha Nebraska.
Uni
77.5 mi in|~1h 43m
Grundy Center
97.9 mi in|~2h 10m
Omaha Nebraska
290 mi in|~5h 56m|via I 80
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 26m. Total distance: 313.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 26m 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 120.2 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 76.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 77.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.9 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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 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.
