Drive Time
4h 1m
Distance
190.6 mi
307 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
Photo: Roshan Dadhe
The drive from Waterloo, IA to Creston, IA covers 190.6 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, IA 330, US 34 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.95 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
95.3 miles from Waterloo, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .
This is a 4h 1m highway drive covering 190.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and IA 330. The longest continuous stretch is about 40 miles on I 35.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and IA 330. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Washington Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 190.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 22.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Waterloo, IA to Creston, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Grundy Center along the way.
Grundy Center
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 40 mi | 43m |
| IA 330 | 35.9 mi | 42m |
| US 34 | 30.3 mi | 42m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Sanford Avenue | 15.9 mi | 21m |
| US 65 | 13 mi | 15m |
| 240th Street | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Marsh Avenue | 5.9 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo, IA and Creston, IA.
Start on West 4th Street
Turn right onto Washington Street
Turn right onto West 5th Street
Continue on West 4th Street
Turn slight right onto West Ridgeway Avenue
Turn left onto US 63
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 20; IA 27
Take the exit
Turn left onto IA 14
Turn right onto 210th Street
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
Continue on M Avenue
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
Turn left onto IA 14
Turn right onto IA 330
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 330
Continue on IA 330
Turn right onto IA 330
Take the exit onto US 65
Continue on I 80; I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 34
Turn right onto South Elm Street
Turn right onto West Montgomery Street
Arrive at 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.
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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.3 miles or 2h 4m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Creston, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Waterloo, 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 Waterloo, IA
This is one driving day of about 190.6 miles and 4h 1m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 95.3 mi from Waterloo, IA · 2h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 95.3 miles from Waterloo, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Creston, 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 Creston, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$28.95 one way
$57.90 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $31.91 | $63.83 |
| premium | $4.80 | $35.98 | $71.96 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $42.34 | $84.69 |
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: 66.7 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 | 57.2 | 0 | $20.01 | $9.15 |
| Efficient EV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.68 | $7.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.2 | 0 | $26.68 | $12.20 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Waterloo on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Creston on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
44°F
Des Moines, IA
95 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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