Fall Road Trips in Iowa
Routes
30
Avg Distance
350 mi
Avg Drive
6h 46m
Destinations
22
Iowa in the fall offers a unique driving experience, with its landscape transforming under a canopy of changing leaves. Across 30 routes, you can expect average drives of 352 miles, taking about 6.8 hours. The terrain is generally flat, with maximum elevations around 1564 feet. While EV charging infrastructure is limited on these routes, the scenic beauty of the season is the main draw.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$4.24/gal
Diesel: $6.18/gal
Typical trip cost
$55–$66
One-way, ~350 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~122 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-10-12
Climate through the year: Iowa
Iowa peaks at around 86°F in Jul and cools to 31°F / 14°F in Jan. Wettest month is Jun at ~5.3 in of rain. Table highlights Fall months.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31 | 14 | 1.1 | 9.4 |
| Feb | 36 | 18 | 1.3 | 10.2 |
| Mar | 49 | 30 | 2.2 | 4.4 |
| Apr | 62 | 41 | 4 | 1.2 |
| May | 72 | 52 | 5.2 | 0.2 |
| Jun | 82 | 62 | 5.3 | — |
| Jul | 86 | 66 | 3.8 | — |
| Aug | 84 | 64 | 4.2 | — |
| Sep peak | 77 | 55 | 3.2 | — |
| Oct peak | 63 | 43 | 2.8 | 0.5 |
| Nov peak | 48 | 30 | 1.9 | 2.7 |
| Dec | 36 | 20 | 1.6 | 7.9 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for IA — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Check the weather forecast for your route, not just your origin and destination.
- Bring layers for shoulder-season travel — mornings and evenings can be much cooler than midday.
- Iowa routes can vary in condition depending on the time of year. Check for construction zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fall Routes
Editor's pick
Akron, IA → Davenport, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City
This route stands out with a drive score of 8 and a maximum elevation of 1383 feet, covering 394.2 miles. It's a primarily highway drive that showcases the state's autumnal colors.
Editor's pick
George, IA → Davenport, IA
Boasting a drive score of 8, this 381.1-mile trip navigates mostly surface roads. The gentle, flat terrain provides an uninterrupted view of the fall foliage across Iowa.
Editor's pick
Bettendorf, IA → Osceola County, IA
Through: Waterloo
With the highest drive score at 9 and reaching up to 1564 feet, this 370.1-mile journey offers gently rolling terrain. It's an excellent option for experiencing the state's autumn scenery.
Bettendorf, IA → Sioux City, IA
Sioux City, IA → Eldridge, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City
Osceola County, IA → Davenport, IA
Davenport, IA → Sioux City, IA
Sergeant Bluff, IA → Bettendorf, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City
Davenport, IA → Orange City, IA
Through: Waterloo
Blue Grass, IA → Sioux City, IA
Sioux City, IA → Mediapolis, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City → Des Moines +1 more
Davenport, IA → Sergeant Bluff, IA
Through: Sioux City
Sioux City, IA → Muscatine, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City
Walcott, IA → Sioux City, IA
Sioux City, IA → Clinton, IA
Davenport, IA → Hamburg, IA
Through: Omaha Nebraska
Sioux City, IA → Wilton, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City
Davenport, IA → Arnolds Park, IA
Through: Waterloo → Storm Lake
Rock Valley, IA → Dubuque, IA
Iowa City, IA → Rock Rapids, IA
Iowa City, IA → Akron, IA
Through: Sioux City
Davenport, IA → Milford, IA
Through: Waterloo → Storm Lake
Sioux City, IA → Park View, IA
Davenport, IA → Sidney, IA
Through: Omaha Nebraska
Mount Pleasant, IA → Sioux City, IA
Through: Knoxville
Council Bluffs, IA → Waukon, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City → Bondurant +2 more
Sioux City, IA → Winfield, IA
Onawa, IA → Davenport, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City
Bettendorf, IA → Spencer, IA
Through: Waterloo → Storm Lake
Sioux Center, IA → Dubuque, IA