Walford to Council Bluffs is 237.6 miles and takes about 4h 27m via I 80, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically Iowa, making it a straightforward journey across the state. You'll be on primarily highway for most of the trip, so expect consistent speeds and minimal delays. This route is ideal for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Consider it for a quick transit between these two points.
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
118.8 miles from Walford, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
215.3 mi
3h 52m
W Avenue
9 mi
13m
U Avenue
5.5 mi
7m
East Kanesville Boulevard
3.7 mi
6m
79th Street
2.4 mi
3m
West Broadway
0.4 mi
<1m
Co Trunk Rd E68
0.2 mi
<1m
East Broadway
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 215.3 mi, about 3h 52m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,239 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,656
Quietest
2 AM
~192 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Walford, IA and Council Bluffs, IA.
1
Start on B Avenue West
107 ft·6 sec·B Avenue West
2
Turn right onto 3rd Street North
212 ft·9 sec·3rd Street North
3
Turn right onto US 151
0.2 mi·24 sec·Co Trunk Rd E68
4
Continue on US 151
0.1 mi·12 sec·1st Avenue
5
Continue on US 151
2.4 mi·3 min·79th Street
6
Continue on US 151
9.0 mi·13 min·W Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto US 151
5.5 mi·7 min·U Avenue
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
9
Merge onto I 80
101 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
19 mi·20 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
13
Turn straight onto IA 906
2.8 mi·4 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
14
Continue on IA 906
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Broadway
15
Continue on IA 906
0.9 mi·2 min·East Kanesville Boulevard
16
Continue on West Broadway
0.4 mi·50 sec·West Broadway
17
Arrive at destination
West Broadway
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 27m duration, starting your drive from Walford in the morning will comfortably get you to Council Bluffs well before evening. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically to cover the longest stretch of 215.3 miles on I 80. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that long highway segment, as services might be less frequent. The $37 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but an early start maximizes your time at your destination.
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 118.8 miles from Walford, IA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 215.3 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 52 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.8 miles or 2h 15m 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 37m
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 Walford, 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 Walford, IA
This is one driving day of about 237.6 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Walford, 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 215.3 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 213.9 — 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|3rd Street North
Turn right onto 3rd Street North
Navigation decision point
6
11.9 mi into trip|~17m in|US 151 / U Avenue
Turn left onto US 151 / U Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
17.7 mi into trip|~25m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
118.4 mi into trip|~2h 15m 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
213.9 mi into trip|~3h 58m 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
$35.09 one way
$70.18 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.74
$77.47
premium
$4.72
$44.12
$88.23
diesel
$4.80
$44.86
$89.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.3
0
$24.95
$11.40
Efficient EV
59.4
0
$20.79
$9.50
EV Truck/SUV
95
1
$33.26
$15.21
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Walford, IA
Late night
in Walford on Sunday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
NW 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Council Bluffs, IA
Late night
in Council Bluffs on Sunday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 3 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
8 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 27m 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?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 91% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 80. You'll encounter a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 215.3 miles on I 80, meaning extended periods of consistent travel. While the majority is highway, there are segments on local roads like W Avenue and U Avenue, offering a slight change of pace before rejoining the interstate. The profile suggests a generally fast-paced journey with fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 215.3 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and W Avenue. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 3rd Street North.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 237.6 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (3rd Street North): Navigation decision point; at 11.9 miles (US 151 / U Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,417 ft791 ft
Total Climb
774 ft
Total Descent
592 ft
Highest Point
1,417 ft
~169.7 mi in
Elevation Range
626 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 Walford, IA to Council Bluffs, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.
Omaha Nebraska
213.9 mi in|~3h 58m|via I 80
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 27m. Total distance: 237.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 215.3 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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 (3rd Street North): Navigation decision point; at 11.9 miles (US 151 / U Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Council Bluffs, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
