We all know that Iowa in the fall is just breathtaking. What could be better than a leisurely country drive in rural Iowa to admire the beautiful fall leaves? So gas up your car, fill up your travel sized mugs with coffee, and take these 10 country roads in Iowa to experience pure fall bliss.
- Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
Flickr/Rich Loess Hills National Scenic Byway takes travelers along western Iowa, where they’ll see the unique landscape of Loess Hills, from prairie and forests, to narrow ridges, rolling hills and steep bluffs.
- Historic Hills Scenic Byway
Facebook/Historic Hills Scenic Byway The Historic Hills Scenic Byway is in southeast Iowa, and along it, you’ll see rolling hills and extensive forestland where you can admire the fall leaves. Because this is the Amish territory of the Villages of Van Buren, you may even see a horse and buggy traveling down the road.
- Iowa Valley Scenic Byway
Facebook/Iowa Valley Scenic Byway This beautiful byway will take you past the charming and historic Amana Colonies, as well as the breathtaking Iowa River Valley.
- Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway
Facebook/Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway The scenic and winding Lincoln Highway travels east to west across Iowa, and you’ll have plenty of natural beauty to admire, along with charming small towns, bridges and historic landmarks.
- River Bluffs Scenic Byway
Facebook/River Bluffs Scenic Byway Experience The River Bluffs Scenic Byway in northeastern Iowa is aptly named. Not only will you see incredible limestone bluffs lined with fall colors, if you travel the entire road, you’ll go by three different rivers, as well as the Effigy Mounds National Monument in Harpers Ferry.
- Western Skies Scenic Byway
Western Skies Scenic Byway Western Skies Scenic Byway runs parallel to I-80, and it takes you past iconic Iowa farmland and woodlands, as well as plenty of quaint small Iowa towns.
- Driftless Area Scenic Byway
Facebook/Driftless Area Scenic Byway Experience The Driftless Area Scenic Byway is in northeast Iowa and features stunning limestone bluffs, forests rich with autumn color, winding hills and farmlands.
- Great River Road Scenic Byway
Flickr/Phil Roeder This national scenic byway takes you along the eastern edge of Iowa along the Mississippi. In addition to the river, you’ll see incredible fall foliage, river towns and incredible limestone bluffs.
- Highway 169
Flickr/Phil Roeder Highway 169 takes you through through Madison County and some of the most scenic views, not to mention beautiful covered bridges, in the state.
- Highway 52 South
Flickr/Phil Roeder This lovely highway starts at the Sabula Bridge that travels over the Mississippi River from Illinois to Iowa, and it travels north along the Mississippi, where you’ll enjoy a beautiful tree-lined view as you drive.
If you’re interested in more about Iowa’s scenic byways, Take This Road To Nowhere In Iowa To Get Away From It All.
Flickr/Rich
Loess Hills National Scenic Byway takes travelers along western Iowa, where they’ll see the unique landscape of Loess Hills, from prairie and forests, to narrow ridges, rolling hills and steep bluffs.
Facebook/Historic Hills Scenic Byway
The Historic Hills Scenic Byway is in southeast Iowa, and along it, you’ll see rolling hills and extensive forestland where you can admire the fall leaves. Because this is the Amish territory of the Villages of Van Buren, you may even see a horse and buggy traveling down the road.
Facebook/Iowa Valley Scenic Byway
This beautiful byway will take you past the charming and historic Amana Colonies, as well as the breathtaking Iowa River Valley.
Facebook/Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway
The scenic and winding Lincoln Highway travels east to west across Iowa, and you’ll have plenty of natural beauty to admire, along with charming small towns, bridges and historic landmarks.
Facebook/River Bluffs Scenic Byway Experience
The River Bluffs Scenic Byway in northeastern Iowa is aptly named. Not only will you see incredible limestone bluffs lined with fall colors, if you travel the entire road, you’ll go by three different rivers, as well as the Effigy Mounds National Monument in Harpers Ferry.
Western Skies Scenic Byway
Western Skies Scenic Byway runs parallel to I-80, and it takes you past iconic Iowa farmland and woodlands, as well as plenty of quaint small Iowa towns.
Facebook/Driftless Area Scenic Byway Experience
The Driftless Area Scenic Byway is in northeast Iowa and features stunning limestone bluffs, forests rich with autumn color, winding hills and farmlands.
Flickr/Phil Roeder
This national scenic byway takes you along the eastern edge of Iowa along the Mississippi. In addition to the river, you’ll see incredible fall foliage, river towns and incredible limestone bluffs.
Highway 169 takes you through through Madison County and some of the most scenic views, not to mention beautiful covered bridges, in the state.
This lovely highway starts at the Sabula Bridge that travels over the Mississippi River from Illinois to Iowa, and it travels north along the Mississippi, where you’ll enjoy a beautiful tree-lined view as you drive.
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