In the early 1960s, Iowa 21 was straightened through Keokuk County near Guernsey and Deep River. This caused the eastern end of Iowa 85 to move east back to the point where it had turned into an east–west route in the 1930s.
In the early 1960s, Iowa 21 was modified through Keokuk County near Guernsey and Deep River. This modification resulted in the eastern terminus of Iowa 85 being redirected back to its original alignment as a cross-state route in the 1930s.