Connecting Creston to Waterloo, this 191.1-mile journey across Iowa typically takes about 4 hours and 1 minute behind the wheel. Because the duration is manageable in a single stint, it works perfectly as a one-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight lodging. Budget roughly $29 for fuel to complete the trek comfortably. The route is a straightforward Midwest drive that shifts from local streets like West Taylor and Northeast Hubbell to the efficiency of I-35. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that bridges two distinct parts of the state without requiring a marathon effort, leaving you plenty of energy once you arrive at your destination.
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
95.5 miles from Creston, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
53.1 mi
58m
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi
41m
West Taylor Street
30.5 mi
42m
US 20
18 mi
20m
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi
21m
240th Street
6.3 mi
9m
Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi
8m
I 80
4.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 53.1 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Creston, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on East Montgomery Street
0.1 mi·39 sec·East Montgomery Street
2
Turn left onto North Elm Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Elm Street
3
Turn left onto US 34
30 mi·42 min·West Taylor Street
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I-35 north: Des Moines
5
Merge onto I 35
53 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi·5 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
7
Take the exit onto US 65
0.5 mi·1 min·US 65
Exit 142Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, BondurantUse the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
9
Continue on US 65; IA 330
35 mi·41 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
10
Turn left onto IA 330
5.9 mi·8 min·Marsh Avenue
11
Continue on IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·South Main Street
12
Continue on IA 330
4.3 mi·5 min·160th Street
13
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi·21 min·Sanford Avenue
14
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi·9 min·240th Street
15
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·M Avenue
16
Continue on County Road T37
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road T37
17
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·210th Street
18
Turn left onto IA 14
4.4 mi·6 min·N Avenue
19
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
20
Merge onto US 20
18 mi·20 min·US 20
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 63: Sergeant Road
22
Turn slight right
120 ft·6 sec
23
Turn straight onto US 63
3.8 mi·5 min·Sergeant Road
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto US 63
388 ft·9 sec·University Avenue
25
Turn straight onto US 63
0.3 mi·45 sec·US 63
26
Turn right
0.1 mi·10 sec
27
Continue on Washington Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Washington Street
28
Turn right onto West 4th Street
76 ft·2 sec·West 4th Street
29
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
Plan to knock this out in one day, as the 4-hour timeframe offers plenty of flexibility for your departure time. Since the trip only requires one stop, aim to time your break near the middle of your journey to keep your energy levels consistent. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the interstate portion, as you will want to ensure you have enough in the tank to cover the estimated $29 cost without unnecessary detours. Because the route relies on a mix of I-35 and local roads like Northeast Hubbell, check local traffic reports before you leave to avoid potential congestion on the urban segments. Staying proactive about your single stop will make the transition between the highway and local streets much smoother.
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 95.5 miles from Creston, IA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.1 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 42 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.5 miles or 1h 57m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterloo, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Creston, 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 Creston, IA
This is one driving day of about 191.1 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Creston, 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 35 for about 53.1 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 89.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|US 34 / West Taylor Street
Turn left onto US 34 / West Taylor Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
31.3 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the ramp toward I-35 north: Des Moines
Navigation decision point
Toward I-35 north: Des Moines
5
31.5 mi into trip|~45m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
84.6 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
89.1 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.88 one way
$59.75 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$32.80
$65.61
premium
$4.89
$36.78
$73.55
diesel
$5.61
$42.19
$84.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.3
0
$20.07
$9.17
Efficient EV
47.8
0
$16.72
$7.64
EV Truck/SUV
76.4
0
$26.75
$12.23
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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 13, 2026
Origin
Creston, IA
Night
in Creston on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waterloo, IA
Night
in Waterloo on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 7 to 14 mph2% 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
15 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 1m 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 mixed driving experience on this route, which balances local roads with a 40% highway share. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating regional connectors before merging onto I-35 for the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip, covering 53.1 miles. The road’s personality changes as you transition from the smaller local arteries to the more consistent pace of the interstate system. This blend keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous grind, though you should be prepared for the varying speeds and traffic flow inherent in such a transition. Ultimately, it is a functional drive that requires steady focus as you move between different types of roadway infrastructure.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.1 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near US 34 / West Taylor Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 191.1 miles you will encounter 19 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: at 0.8 miles (US 34 / West Taylor Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 31.5 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,312 ft812 ft
Total Climb
274 ft
Total Descent
733 ft
Highest Point
1,312 ft
Elevation Range
500 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 Creston, IA to Waterloo, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Bondurant along the way.
Bondurant
89.1 mi in|~1h 48m|via US 65
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 191.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.1 miles on I 35. 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 Waterloo, 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 0.8 miles (US 34 / West Taylor Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 31.5 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Waterloo, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
