Need advice on Iowa routes

[2wheels4me]

I'm going to be traveling through Iowa from Chicago, and was looking for some route help. It looks like 9, 18 ,3 and 20 pretty much go straight across, is any one a better choice than the others? I will be continuing on into Nebraska and then up towards the Badlands in South Dakota. I'm trying to find a different way, since I have done this trip a few times and have gone through WI, MN, and SD. Any help will be appreciated.

[falconati]

I love Iowa.   I'm a native Iowan, which is why I'm so brilliant  

Despite my bias, the riding is much better in WI and MN than Iowa.  I would recommend your normal WI/MN route and change up some roads, unless you're headed to Nebraska for any specific purpose.

[ia sprint]

All of the road you mentioned will be relatively straight, relatively flat, and go through agricultural country with a small town to pass through every few miles.  20 is 4 lane until you are past Ft. Dodge.  9 and 18 have you nice sections in extreme eastern IA.  

Not much way to get around some boring riding, S MN isn't much different.  I'd say pick one you haven't tried, maybe with a site to see that your interested in and ride.  The Okoboji/Spirit Lake area on 9 is a potential rest stop.

IA Sprint

[phoenix]

All of the road you mentioned will be relatively straight, relatively flat, and go through agricultural country with a small town to pass through every few miles.  

translation: pretty boring, if you ask us!  

there's some fun to be had on the eastern side of the state (along the river) and then along the western side of the state (different river). In between, its a whole lotta corn and beans!

If you need a little break, there is a motorcycle museum in Anamosa IA. if that is of interest, cross at Dubuque (Da-Puke)and follow 151 down to Anamosa. That ride might be decent.

[bomber]

translation: pretty boring, if you ask us!  

there's some fun to be had on the eastern side of the state (along the river) and then along the western side of the state (different river). In between, its a whole lotta corn and beans!

If you need a little break, there is a motorcycle museum in Anamosa IA. if that is of interest, cross at Dubuque (Da-Puke)and follow 151 down to Anamosa. That ride might be decent.

One a long, low frequency, low amplitude sine wave . . . . . .

[County Tar]

I'd go for the Hwy. 9 route if you plan to cross in IA.  Are you going to cross at Savanna/Sabula or at Galena/Dubuque?

[2wheels4me]

I'd go for the Hwy. 9 route if you plan to cross in IA.  Are you going to cross at Savanna/Sabula or at Galena/Dubuque?

Galena/Dubuque, I'm coming from the Ill/Wis border area, Lake villa to be exact. I have done 90 thru S. MN. a couple of times and while quicker it's just boring. I did try CY9, along the river area (which was good), last time and eventually got up to 9 and took that all they way across, and then did stop at Spirit lake. I did enjoy that route and while the agricultural aspect of 9 isn't super amazing, it was interesting in it's own way (to me) , I think I'll do that again. I just thought there might be something else to try. Thanks for the feedback everyone.

[coopdway]

If you've got time (and the desire), I'd look at mixing in some county roads since 9, while mostly direct, isn't always just east/west.  I use the Iowa Bicycle Map to plan paved riding in the state and if it were me, I'd mix in some of those other roads near 9 if for nothing else, to give your trip some variety.

[BentAero]

It's Iowa. Does one route look any different from another?