9 Great Road Trips to Take in Iowa
The wind cuts through your hair. John Denver's “Country Roads” plays on the stereo. In the distance, hills peep over hills. The truth is, Iowa’s scenery can be incredibly stunning, provided you know where to go. You can cruise through the Driftless Area, ostensibly untouched by glaciers— hence hilly and ruggedly beautiful. It is pure bliss when you get towards the Mississippi. Additionally, there are the Loess Hills and Pikes Peak, which feature some of the most gorgeous views in the world. Discover nine great road trips to take in Iowa below.
Lansing to McGregor
There is a reason many consider the Great River Road the most scenic drive in Iowa. The entire drive is intimidating, especially because the Great River Road spans 3,000 miles from Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Fortunately, Iowa boasts some of its most panoramic stretches, including the section between Lansing and McGregor. Start your adventure at the Driftless Area Education And Visitors Center and get interesting insights about Iowa’s natural history amid awesome views of the "Ole Miss.” The visitor center is free of charge. Enjoy delicious country cooking at Red Barn Campground & Restaurant, a relaxing spot with beautiful steam flowing right through. The next stop is Harpers Ferry, a historic river valley community along the main channel of the Mississippi River. Spend some time at the marina before heading over to Effigy Mounds National Monument. You will see burial mounds that date as far back as 500 BC. The climax will be at Pikes Peak State Park in Mc Gregor, known for its precipitous rock bluffs and spectacular views.
Davenport to Dubuque
The drive from Davenport to Dubuques typically takes a little over an hour, although one should plan with more time to take it slow and easy. Start by visiting the Figge Art Museum, the premier art exhibition and education facility between Chicago and Des Moines. You will enjoy contemporary art as you see people kayaking down River Drive. Learn fascinating tidbits about the area’s history at the Putnam Museum and Science Center, then start your drive through the countryside. You will pass small, charming towns such as Maquoketa, home to the breathtaking Maquoketa Caves State Park, and Zwingle, named for Swiss reformer Ulrich Zwingli. Your final stop will be Dubuque, Iowa's oldest city and one of the oldest settlements west of the Mississippi River. You can then hit up the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium — or ride the Fenelon Place Elevator — billed as the world's shortest and steepest railroad.
Bridges of Madison County Scenic Byway
Bridges of Madison County Scenic Byway, also known as The Covered Bridges Scenic Byway, is 82 miles of beauty and nostalgia that features classic Iowa landscape along with the famed covered bridges of Madison County. This is not a linear route; it almost resembles a loop. You can start at Winterset, head down to St. Charles, turn north to Bevington, and through to Cumming, before returning to Winterset via Cumming Road to the point it joins Highway 169. Points of interest include Imes Covered Bridge in St. Charles (built in 1870), Iowa Theater in Winterset, John Wayne Birthplace and Museum, which honors the life and work of one of Midwest's most famous actors, and the 148-year-old Madison County Courthouse. The covered bridges in Winterset include Holliwell Covered Bridge (It was featured in the movie “The Bridges of Madison County.”), Hogback Covered Bridge, Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge, and Cedar Covered Bridge — all of which were built in the late 1800s.
Glacial Trail Scenic Byway
The Glacial Trail Scenic Byway takes trippers through some interesting turns along its 36-mile loop in northwest Iowa. If you are keen, you will know what contributed to the picturesque landscape on either side of this exciting drive because it is right there in the name. Amid views of the Little Sioux River and beautiful rolling hills, this drive reveals a side of Iowa that every road tripper will find incredibly attractive. Highlights include the Prairie Heritage Center near Peterson, where visitors learn about the area's natural history, Dog Creek Park in Sutherland, Larson Lake County Park, and Linn Grove Dam Area — one of the best fishing holes in Iowa. If looking for an off-the-beaten-path drive, this corner of Iowa will most likely meet your expectations.
Driftless Area Scenic Byway
Is this the most scenic state byway in Iowa? Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but this 144-mile is pure bliss and worth its weight in gold. It will be a beautiful introduction to Allamakee and Winneshiek Counties, a corner of Iowa untouched by glaciers and their flattening flows. The outcome? A uniquely gashed and furrowed terrain. You will not believe you are in Iowa. You will want to pull over at the Allamakee County Historical Museum & Genealogy Research Center - Waukon, the Vesterheim National Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, and the Yellow River State Forest, Harpers Ferry—provided you are ready to spend some time because a rushed experience will be a great disservice. This drive is an enthralling zigzag. One can start from Postville to Harper's Ferry, turn west to Decorah through Waukon, and head over to New Albion before turning to Churchtown and back to Waukon.
The Historic Hills Scenic Byway
As the name implies, the Historic Hills Scenic Byway winds through beautiful rolling hills, pine-speckled forests, and up to 20 charming towns. There is some unusual stuff on this stretch, like horses and buggies, things you don’t easily come across, especially if you are used to the concrete jungles of America’s big cities. It will almost feel like the 1800s all over again. This 110-mile route starts in Wapello County, north of Blakesburg. It then retreats to picturesque back roads near Drakesville and Bloomfield—before wandering through Troy and on to Farmington in Van Buren County. It ends in Lee County’s Donnellson. Highlights include the Christian Herschler Winery & Stagecoach Stop, whose history predates the Civil War; Milton Creamery, Iowa’s oldest courthouse in Keosauqua, as well as Iowa’s only resort state park.
The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
The Loess hills were carved of windblown soils and are typically more than 60 feet in height. Although these kinds of hills and landforms dot several regions of the world, Iowa boasts the highest concentration — except China. This stretch spans 220 miles; however, you don’t have to cover it completely. If anything, a taste is always as good as a feast. Therefore, the stretch from Akron through Westfield and on to Moorhead and Pisgah may just suffice. It should be less than two hours. Start at Akron’s city park’s Information Kiosk along Iowa Highway 12, especially to get helpful information about what to expect. Driving south toward Westfield, you will notice these unique landforms starting to emerge like gentle swells on the ocean. Westfield is Iowa’s westernmost city. You must not miss Iowa's largest continuous prairie — the Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve. Other attractions include the Loess Hills State Forest Visitor Center in Pisgah and one of the best overlooks along the stretch: Murray Hill Scenic Overlook.
The Valley Scenic Byway
The Iowa Valley Scenic Byway spans 77 miles and features a curated tapestry of quiet, pastoral landscapes, Iowa River wetlands, and several cultural attractions. This drive begins near the Meskwaki Settlement, Iowa’s only resident Native American community. Visit the Meskwaki Cultural Center & Museum to learn about the culture and history of the Sac & Fox Tribe. For something off the beaten path, spend some time at the Traer’s Salt and Pepper Shaker Gallery, which boasts the largest collection of publicly displayed shakers in the Midwest. The byway then winds through Tama, Chelsea, Belle Plaine (check out The Deranged Haunted Attraction), and Marengo, home to Fireside Winery. The historic Amana Colonies, which mark the byway's end, are known for fine wood furniture and excellent German-style restaurants.
Grant Wood Scenic Byway
Grant Wood—who was born outside Anamosa, a short drive northeast of Cedar Rapids—created one of the world's most recognizable paintings: the 1930 American Gothic. This piece of art was a cultural icon comparable to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. This byway, which is a symbol of the American heartland, honors one of the world’s finest artists and is hands-down among the nine great road trips to take in Iowa. When cruising along this stretch, you will see where the artist inspired American Gothic and his other celebrated masterpieces. Your adventure starts at Stone City, home to one of a handful of fossil-free dolomite limestone quarries worldwide. It proceeds to Anamosa, home to the Grant Wood Art Gallery and the gorgeous Wapsipinicon State Park. It then works its way through Wyoming, Monmouth, Baldwin (check out the Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery), and Maquoketa.
It often gets a bad reputation and is considered a fly-over state, but Iowa is home to some breathtaking natural landscapes. Think of the Loess Hills, the westernmost part of the state, a feature that makes Iowa one of the few places in the world with such unique landforms. You will find peaceful, pastoral landscapes, greenery, and many cultural attractions. In the height of summer, you will enjoy the view of wildflowers along the roads, making the whole terrain bright and bubbly.
