Driving Roads in Iowa

Iowa rewards drivers who leave the interstate for its network of state and national scenic byways. In western Iowa, the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway runs through narrow ridges, steep bluffs, prairie, woodland, and views across the Missouri River valley; its main route is paved, while some optional loops use gravel roads. Northeast Iowa is markedly hillier than the central plains: the Driftless Area Scenic Byway crosses limestone bluffs, forested valleys, river bottoms, and winding county roads near the Upper Iowa and Mississippi rivers, with some gravel sections and paved alternatives. The Great River Road follows the Mississippi corridor through bluff country and river towns, while routes in southern and central Iowa traverse rolling agricultural land, wooded creek valleys, and historic communities. Road surfaces vary by byway, so drivers planning low-clearance or performance-oriented cars should check individual route maps before taking gravel excursions.