Trip from Urbandale, 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 21m

Distance

124.6 mi

201 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 29 min

4 AM

2h 11m ★

6 AM

2h 21m

8 AM

2h 40m

10 AM

2h 28m

12 PM

2h 26m

3 PM

2h 29m

5 PM

2h 39m

8 PM

2h 15m

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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city in Polk and Dallas counties, Iowa, United States

Urbandale, IA

Wikimedia Commons

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

Council Bluffs, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 124.6-mile drive from Urbandale, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 21 minutes. The journey is predominantly highway-focused, with a 94% share on major roads like I-80, East Kanesville Boulevard, and John MacVicar Freeway. Given its relatively short duration and highway profile, you can expect a direct and efficient trip. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest route is around $19, making it an economical option. You'll spend most of your time on I-80, covering a substantial 113.9-mile stretch without needing to exit, which makes for a predictable and uncomplicated journey.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

62.3 miles from Urbandale, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	113.9 mi	2h 2m
East Kanesville Boulevard	3.7 mi	6m
John MacVicar Freeway	3.3 mi	4m
73rd Street	1.6 mi	2m
72nd Street	0.6 mi	1m
West Broadway	0.4 mi	<1m
Roseland Drive	0.2 mi	1m
East Broadway	0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 113.9 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Maryland Drive

13 ft · 5 sec · Maryland Drive

Turn left onto 70th Street

348 ft · 9 sec · 70th Street

Turn right onto Roseland Drive

0.2 mi · 1 min · Roseland Drive

Turn left onto 72nd Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · 72nd Street

Turn straight onto 73rd Street

1.6 mi · 2 min · 73rd Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward I-235 west

Merge onto I 235

3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway

Merge onto I 80

95 mi · 1 hr 41 min · I 80

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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

With a total duration of just over 2 hours, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to worry about extensive stopovers, though a quick break for fuel or a stretch is always a good idea, especially during the 113.9-mile stretch on I-80. The estimated fuel cost of $19 is minimal, so factoring that into your budget is straightforward. To make the most of this direct route, consider leaving Urbandale in the morning to avoid any potential traffic as you enter the Council Bluffs area, and keep an eye on your GPS for the precise exits onto East Kanesville Boulevard and John MacVicar Freeway.

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 62.3 miles from Urbandale, IA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.9 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 27 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.3 miles or 1h 10m 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 53m

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 Urbandale, 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 Urbandale, IA

This is one driving day of about 124.6 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Urbandale, IA.

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

The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 113.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Atlantic, IA

62 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

Stuart, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Atlantic, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.3 miles from Urbandale, 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 113.9 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

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stuart, Iowa

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 35.6

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155238000

Visit website

Tullpa Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

0.7 mi

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Council Bluffs, Iowa

0.8 mi

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 35.6

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155238000

Visit website

Tullpa Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152142327

Visit website

Runza Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 124.6

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+17123228935

Visit website

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 53.4

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 89

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+17123432419

Visit website

Urbandale Clubhouse And Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+15152765496

Visit website

Club Car Restaurant & Lounge- Clive

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 8.9

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152261729

Visit website

Tish's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 124.6

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17123235456

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 124.6

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 97.9

Shelby, 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 124.6

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 124.6

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

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 120.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | 70th Street

Turn left onto 70th Street

Navigation decision point

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Roseland Drive

Turn right onto Roseland Drive

Navigation decision point

6.2 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

101 mi into trip | ~1h 51m 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...

120.1 mi into trip | ~2h 12m 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

$19.48 one way

$38.96 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$21.39	$42.78
premium	$4.89	$23.98	$47.96
diesel	$5.61	$27.51	$55.02

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: 43.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	37.4	$13.08	$5.98
Efficient EV	31.2	$10.90	$4.98
EV Truck/SUV	49.8	$17.44	$7.97

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% 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

Urbandale, IA

Late night in Urbandale on Sunday

Local time

3:11 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Council Bluffs, IA

Late night in Council Bluffs on Sunday

Local time

3:11 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 21m 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 largely highway-focused experience on this route, with nearly all of your 124.6 miles spent on major arteries. The personality of this drive is defined by efficiency, as 94% of the journey utilizes interstates and freeways like I-80. You'll encounter one lengthy, uninterrupted stretch of 113.9 miles on I-80, offering a consistent driving pace. While the road primarily consists of highway driving, transitions onto East Kanesville Boulevard and John MacVicar Freeway will mark your approach to Council Bluffs, offering a slight shift in the immediate surroundings before you reach your destination.

94% 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: 113.9 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and East Kanesville Boulevard. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 70th Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 8 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 (70th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Roseland Drive): Navigation decision point; at 6.2 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Urbandale, IA to Council Bluffs, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.

Omaha Nebraska

101 mi in | ~1h 51m | via I 80

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 124.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 113.9 miles on I 80. 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.

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 Urbandale, IA or browse trips ending in Council Bluffs, IA.

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Trip from Urbandale, 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

Nearby Places

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

Tullpa Restaurant

Runza Restaurant

Chuckwagon Restaurant

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

Urbandale Clubhouse And Restaurant

Club Car Restaurant & Lounge- Clive

Tish's Restaurant

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America 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

Urbandale, IA

Council Bluffs, IA

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 21m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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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