It crosses Bear Creek before entering Marengo along South Street.

At Western Avenue, Iowa 212 turns south towards U.S. Highway 6.

[3] The route which is now Iowa 212 was originally designated as Primary Road No.

73 was a 16-mile-long (26 km) route which began at the Lincoln Highway (PR No.

Iowa 212 was extended west through Chelsea along the western leg of the abandoned section of US 30.