Major city · United States
CentervilleCenterville, Iowa
Half a day is enough: see the courthouse square and the coal-mining museum, then move on. Not a base.
Centerville is the seat of Appanoose County in South Central Iowa, a former coal-mining town with a compact historic core. The main draw is the Appanoose County Historical and Coal Mining Museum, housed in the old post office. Most travellers use it as a lunch stop or a short detour between Des Moines and Missouri.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold)
- Airport
- TVK
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Centerville911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Centerville, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyCenterville is a low-crime small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTVK Centerville Municipal Airport (General aviation only; no scheduled flights.
- Getting aroundCenterville is walkable in the centre (courthouse square to museum is a 2-min walk).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealLunch at a diner$8–12
- BeerBeer (pint)$4–6
- Budget bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TVK Centerville Municipal Airport (General aviation only; no scheduled flights. Nearest commercial airports: Des Moines (DSM, about 1.5 h drive) or Kirksville, Missouri (IRK, about 1 h drive).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Centerville: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
5 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
6 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Centerville is walkable in the centre (courthouse square to museum is a 2-min walk). A car is needed for anything outside the downtown core.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Albia
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive north on IA-5, about 20 min
Smaller county seat with a historic square and the Albia Square and Central Commercial Historic District.
Door to door: About 40 min
Drive north on IA-5, about 40 min
Larger town with the Bridge View Center and the Ottumwa Regional Airport.
Osceola, Iowa
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive west on US-34, about 45 min
Home to the Clarke County Historical Museum and the Amtrak station for the Southwest Chief.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Courthouse Square
A few motels and inns within walking distance of the museum and restaurants.
Highway 5 corridor
Budget chain motels on the north edge of town, convenient for drivers.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget motel room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Museum entry2 × US$5 · check | US$10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$35 |
| Trip total≈ US$193 per person per day, bed included | US$385 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Lunch at a diner | $8–12 |
| Dinner at a sit-down restaurant | $12–20 |
| Beer (pint) | $4–6 |
| Gasoline (per gallon)check | $3–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Museum hours are limited: check the website before visiting.
- Pancake Day (first Saturday in October) draws crowds; book accommodation months ahead.
- No scheduled air service; the nearest Amtrak station is in Osceola, about 40 min drive.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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CentervilleCenterville, Iowa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
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Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The nearest US embassy is in Washington, DC. Consular services for visitors: contact the US Department of State.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Des Moines (DSM) to Centerville by car: about 1.5 h, 110 miles
- Osceola Amtrak station to Centerville by car: about 40 min, 35 miles
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the museum? — Where is the museum? (where is the museum)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Centerville. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the museum and courthouse with verified hours.
- Eat pages for the restaurants on the square.
- Day-trip pages for Albia, Ottumwa and Osceola.
Sources
Ask about Centerville
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