Trip.ovh US Road Trip Planner

Scenic Drives in Iowa

Routes

25

Avg Distance

174 mi

Avg Drive

3h 30m

Destinations

19

Iowa has 25 routes that score 7 or higher on our drive quality scale — roads where the scenery and terrain actually make the drive worth doing. Average distance: 174 miles.

Planning Tips

Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

We rate routes on a 1-10 drive score based on elevation changes, road variety, and terrain diversity. The 25 routes listed here all score 7 or higher.

Drive times and distances come from actual road network data via OSRM. Fuel costs use current state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. All data is recalculated regularly.

Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Top Scenic Routes

Osceola County, IA → Bettendorf, IA

369.9 mi 7h 25m Score: 8/10

Le Mars, IA → Iowa City, IA

300.5 mi 6h Score: 8/10

Cedar Rapids, IA → Akron, IA

292.1 mi 5h 50m Score: 9/10

Villisca, IA → Davenport, IA

280 mi 5h 24m Score: 8/10

Belle Plaine, IA → Sioux City, IA

249.9 mi 4h 57m Score: 10/10

Cedar Rapids, IA → Villisca, IA

233.8 mi 4h 40m Score: 9/10

Sioux City, IA → Nora Springs, IA

214.8 mi 4h 17m Score: 9/10

Nora Springs, IA → Sioux City, IA

214.7 mi 4h 16m Score: 8/10

Sheldon, IA → West Des Moines, IA

214.7 mi 4h 43m Score: 8/10

Cedar Rapids, IA → Audubon, IA

208.2 mi 4h 4m Score: 9/10

Forest City, IA → Sioux City, IA

201.9 mi 4h 14m Score: 8/10

Iowa Falls, IA → Bettendorf, IA

191.5 mi 3h 41m Score: 10/10

Dubuque, IA → Altoona, IA

179.8 mi 3h 34m Score: 9/10

Sioux City, IA → Washington, IA

176.8 mi 3h 32m Score: 10/10

Stuart, IA → Sioux City, IA

160.1 mi 2h 55m Score: 8/10

Des Moines, IA → Springville, IA

132.5 mi 2h 41m Score: 8/10

Fairfield, IA → Ankeny, IA

119.9 mi 2h 25m Score: 8/10

Urbandale, IA → Clear Lake, IA

116.6 mi 2h 10m Score: 8/10

Charles City, IA → Cedar Rapids, IA

103.7 mi 2h 2m Score: 8/10

Centerville, IA → Urbandale, IA

94.3 mi 2h 12m Score: 9/10

Carroll, IA → Ankeny, IA

88.9 mi 1h 55m Score: 8/10

Camanche, IA → Iowa City, IA

81.1 mi 1h 42m Score: 8/10

West Des Moines, IA → Lamoni, IA

72.4 mi 1h 24m Score: 7/10

Ames, IA → Adel, IA

54 mi 1h 7m Score: 8/10

Urbandale, IA → Des Moines, IA

8.1 mi 14m Score: 8/10

Explore More

Iowa Trips Scenic drives in Iowa