Origin
Creston, IA
Afternoon in Creston on Sunday
Local time
1:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Creston, IA to Waterloo, IA
Drive Time
4h 1m
Distance
191.1 mi
308 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
Creston, IA
Roshan Dadhe
Waterloo, IA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Creston, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 191.1 miles and takes about 4h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, Northeast Hubbell Road, West Taylor Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 53.1 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.03 one way before food or hotel costs.
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 .
Drive Character
The drive from Creston, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 191.1 miles and takes about 4h 1m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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 / none lanes.
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 none / 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...
Towns Along This Route
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
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 / none lanes.
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 none / 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 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Use 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 / none lanes.
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
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 80 miles or 1h 38m 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 80 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 95.5 mi from Creston, IA · 1h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.5 miles from Creston, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Waterloo, IA
The final approach into Waterloo, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Waterloo, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.03 one way
$58.05 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $32.00 | $64.00 |
| premium | $4.80 | $36.08 | $72.15 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $42.46 | $84.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
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, 2026-04-06.
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.
Destination
Waterloo, IA
Afternoon in Waterloo on Sunday
Local time
1:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°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
6 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Creston, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 191.1 miles and takes about 4h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, Northeast Hubbell Road, West Taylor Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.5 miles from Creston, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.03 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
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.
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.
On the drive from Creston, IA to Waterloo, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Bondurant along the way.
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