Trip from Stuart, IA to Council Bluffs, IA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 40m

Distance

89.8 mi

144 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

1h 33m ★

6 AM

1h 41m

8 AM

1h 56m

10 AM

1h 46m

12 PM

1h 44m

3 PM

1h 47m

5 PM

1h 55m

8 PM

1h 36m

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 Iowa, United States of America

Stuart, IA

Wikimedia Commons

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

Council Bluffs, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 89.7-mile drive from Stuart, IA, to Council Bluffs, IA, will take you about 1 hour and 26 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate via I 80 West and US 6, with a portion on East Kanesville Boulevard. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, this is an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local driving experience rather than a continuous highway journey. Given its short duration and manageable distance, you won't need to worry about overnight stays.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

44.9 miles from Stuart, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	84.4 mi	1h 30m
East Kanesville Boulevard	3.7 mi	6m
South Division Street	0.6 mi	1m
West Broadway	0.4 mi	<1m
East Broadway	0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 84.4 mi, about 1h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on CR P28

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Division Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Merge onto I 80; US 6

65 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 80; US 6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

19 mi · 20 min · I 80

Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec

Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland

Turn straight onto IA 906

2.8 mi · 4 min · East Kanesville Boulevard

Continue on IA 906

0.1 mi · 20 sec · East Broadway

Continue on IA 906

0.9 mi · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard

Continue on West Broadway

0.4 mi · 50 sec · West Broadway

Arrive at destination

West Broadway

Trip Plan

For this 1-hour and 26-minute drive, flexibility is your best friend. Since it's a short trip with a low estimated fuel cost of $14, you can depart whenever suits your schedule. There are no specific 'longest stretches' to worry about, so you can take your time and make spontaneous stops if something catches your eye. Pay close attention to the frequent turns indicated by the route's 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, especially as you approach Council Bluffs on East Kanesville Boulevard. This will help you navigate smoothly without missing any crucial junctions.

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.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 44.9 miles from Stuart, IA, or about 48m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.4 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 20 miles or 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 44.9 miles or 48m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 22m

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 Stuart, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Stuart, IA

This is one driving day of about 89.8 miles and 1h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Stuart, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 84.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Avoca, IA

45 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

Atlantic, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Avoca, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.9 miles from Stuart, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.4 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stuart, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155238000

Visit website

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Council Bluffs, Iowa

0.8 mi

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Adair, Iowa

1.7 mi

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155238000

Visit website

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+17123228935

Visit website

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

Tish's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17123235456

Visit website

Apple Barrel Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17123223000

Visit website

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+17123432419

Visit website

Mercy Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+17128284200

Visit website

Durham TreeTops Restaurant

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+14027338401

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Shelby, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Stuart, Iowa

Visit website

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+14026611804

Visit website

The Old Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–1:30 pm

+14023464445

Visit website

Museum Of Shadows

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 2–10 pm

+14028857557

Visit website

Lake Manawa State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 4 am–10:30 pm

+17123660220

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

3 of 3

3 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 85.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 80; US 6

Merge onto I 80; US 6

Merge point - match speed before joining

66.1 mi into trip | ~1h 11m 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...

85.2 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Take the exit toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.04 one way

$28.08 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$15.41	$30.83
premium	$4.89	$17.28	$34.56
diesel	$5.61	$19.83	$39.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	26.9	$9.43	$4.31
Efficient EV	22.5	$7.86	$3.59
EV Truck/SUV	35.9	$12.57	$5.75

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (65% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Stuart, IA

Late night in Stuart on Tuesday

Local time

4:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Council Bluffs, IA

Late night in Council Bluffs on Tuesday

Local time

4:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

41°F

Avoca, IA

45 mi in

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

1 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

1h 40m 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 this 89.7-mile journey. With a 0% highway share, you won't be cruising on interstates for extended periods. Instead, anticipate a more engaged driving experience with frequent changes in direction as you transition between roads like US 6 and East Kanesville Boulevard. The absence of a defined 'longest stretch' further emphasizes the stop-and-go nature of this route, requiring your constant attention. This isn't a monotonous interstate grind; it's a more interactive local road experience.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 84.4 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and East Kanesville Boulevard. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near I 80; US 6.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Stuart, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is easy. At 1h 40m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (I 80; US 6): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 66.1 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Stuart, IA and Council Bluffs, IA, road signs point toward Omaha Nebraska and Oakland.

Omaha Nebraska

66.1 mi in | ~1h 11m | via I 80

Oakland

85.2 mi in | ~1h 31m

About the Cities

Arriving in Council Bluffs, IA

Full guide →

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."

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 89.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 84.4 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

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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Explore more options from Stuart, IA or browse trips ending in Council Bluffs, IA.

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Trip from Stuart, IA to Council Bluffs, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

Runza Restaurant

Chuckwagon Restaurant

Tish's Restaurant

Apple Barrel Restaurant

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

Mercy Thai Restaurant

Durham TreeTops Restaurant

Tesla Supercharger

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Red E Charging Station

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center

The Old Market

Museum Of Shadows

Lake Manawa State Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Stuart, IA

Council Bluffs, IA

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 40m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Council Bluffs, IA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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