U.S. Route 18 in Iowa
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 18 is the northernmost east–west U.S. Highway in the state of Iowa
. As with all state highways in Iowa, it is maintained by the Iowa Department of Transportation
(Iowa DOT). It enters the state by crossing the Big Sioux River
between Inwood
and Canton, South Dakota
. It travels 311 miles (500.5 km) and connects Spencer
, Mason City
and Charles City
. The highway leaves the state via the Marquette–Joliet Bridge over the Mississippi River
at Marquette
. Prior to becoming a U.S. Highway, the route US 18 follows was known as Primary Road No. 19 and the National Parks Pike.
approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Canton, South Dakota
. It runs easterly through rural Lyon County
, in the northwestern corner of the state. At Inwood
it meets Iowa 182
, which provides access to Sioux Falls, South Dakota
, via Iowa 9 and South Dakota Highway 42
. US 18 turns south at Inwood and heads into Sioux County
. The highway crosses the Rock River
on its way towards Rock Valley
and Hull
. West of Hull, at Perkins, US 18 juts to the south
along US 75 before turning east again closer to Hull. The highway continues east towards Sheldon
.
As it crosses into O'Brien County
on the western edge of Sheldon, US 18 intersects the business loop of Iowa 60
. The two routes head east towards a diamond interchange
with Iowa 60 on the eastern side of town where the business loop ends. The highway roughly parallels the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad
(DM&E Railroad). In Sanborn
, US 18 is briefly overlapped by US 59, which joins from the north and leaves to the south. Continuing east, it passes through Hartley
and then enters Clay County
. North of Spencer
, it intersects US 71 and the two routes head south together through town. On the south side of Spencer, the two routes come to a T intersection and each route heads in the opposite direction – US 18 to the east and US 71 to the west.
East of Spencer, US 18 passes through Ruthven
in Palo Alto County. Between Ruthven and Emmetsburg
, it is joined by Iowa 4 from the north. The two routes split again in Emmetsburg as Iowa 4 heads south. US 18 continues east, briefly heading south to enter Cylinder
. The route curves back to the east at the DM&E Railroad line. An intersection with Iowa 15 near Whittemore
marks the Palo Alto–Kossuth
county line. Iowa 15 follows US 18 for 1 miles (1.6 km) before it splits away to the north. On the northern edge of Algona
, the highway meets US 169. At the eastern county line, shared with Hancock County
, is an intersection with Iowa 17, which marks that route's northern end.
In Hancock County, the route passes through Britt
before meeting US 69 1 miles (1.6 km) west of Garner
; the two highways split in Garner. East of Garner, the route takes a north-northeasterly path as it goes through Ventura
and skirts the northern shore of Clear Lake
. Near the northeastern shore of the lake, it enters the city of Clear Lake
, where it meets Interstate 35 (I-35). Iowa 122
and U.S. Route 18 Business (US 18 Bus.) head east from the interchange with the interstate. US 18 traffic follows southbound I-35 for 4 miles (6.4 km). Iowa 27, the Avenue of the Saints highway, which had hitherto followed I-35 southbound now follows US 18 eastbound. The two routes, now on a four-lane, controlled-access highway
, follow a path which passes to the south of Mason City. They meet US 65 and US 18 Bus. at exit 186.
At the Floyd
county line, US and Iowa 27 become a limited-access road
and angle slightly to the northeast, passing Rudd
. At Floyd
, the two routes are joined by US 218
. The three routes head south along a bypass
of Charles City
. They intersect Iowa 14 on the western side of town and take a 90-degree curve to the east. At exit 218 of the expressway, US 18 leaves US 218 and Iowa 27, which continue southeastward towards Cedar Falls
–Waterloo
. US 18 briefly heads north into Charles City with US 218 Bus.. The two routes meet the northern end of Iowa 14, and US 18 splits away to the east to cross the Cedar River. Heading east again, the route enters Chickasaw County
and passes through Bassett
on its way to New Hampton
. It meets US 63 at a four-lane bypass on the western side of town. The two routes head south for 8 miles (12.9 km), splitting at an interchange which is also the eastern end of Iowa 346
. It turns to the east again and travels due-east through Fredericksburg
.
Continuing due-east, US 18 does not enter another community for 20 miles (32.2 km) until it reaches West Union
in Fayette County
. In West Union, it intersects Iowa 150
. East of town, it crosses into the Driftless Area, an area that was untouched by glaciation during the last ice age. The route turns to the northeast to through Clermont
and then to the north to meet US 52 at Postville
in southern Allamakee County
. The two routes head east through Postville and turn south into Clayton County
. Near Froelich, US 52 leaves to the south towards Dubuque
. Heading to the northeast towards, McGregor
and Marquette
, its business loop goes through the towns while the mainline skirts around them. The business loop rejoins the mainline at the foot of the Marquette–Joliet Bridge, which spans the Mississippi River
. US 18 continues east into Wisconsin
with Wisconsin Highway 60, which begins at the state line.
and ended in Madison, Wisconsin
, encompassing all of Primary Road No. 19 in the state. The Pike was registered with the on April 29, 1920. The National Parks Pike name fell into disuse after the highway became US 18.
By 1927, a significant portion of the route was paved, while the remainder was gravelled. All of O'Brien County and 80 miles (129 km) between Algona
and Charles City
were paved. In seven years, the gap between O'Brien County and Algona was finished which created 160 miles (257 km) of continuous pavement. During those same seven years, the route from West Union
to the Mississippi River
and all of Primary Road No. 59, which included the 7 miles (11.3 km) overlap of US 18 near New Hampton
were paved. Primary Road No. 59 is now known as US 63. By the start of World War II
, the only remaining section of US 18 that wasn't paved was an 11 miles (17.7 km) section west of Rock Valley
in Sioux County
. That last section would not be completed for another ten years.
Prior to 1932, the only way vehicles traveling US 18 could cross the Mississippi River was by ferry. That changed in when identical suspension bridges were built to cross the river between Marquette
and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
. Built in 1931–1932, each bridge was 450 feet (137.2 m) long and crossed a main channel of the river and were divided by a 2000 feet (609.6 m) island causeway. The first car to cross the bridges did so on March 7, 1932. Users of the bridge had to pay a toll until July 15, 1954. The bridges remained in use for another twenty years, when they were replaced by the Marquette–Joliet Bridge. In 1988–89, a bypass was built around McGregor
so US 18 could connect directly to the Marquette–Joliet Bridge. A short road had previously provided access to and from the bridge. The old alignment of the route became US 18 Bus.
Over the late-1990s, construction began on the Avenue of the Saints
corridor near Mason City
. A new controlled-access facility was built south of the city east to Rudd
. On December 5, 1999, this section of freeway opened and US 18 was realigned onto the new road. The old alignment became Iowa Highway 122
. By the end of the next year, the four-lane expressway was extended to Charles City
. By 2003, an expressway carrying US 63 was built around New Hampton
. US 18 was rerouted onto the expressway and the western end of Iowa 24
was moved to the US 63 / US 18 interchange.
with Interstate 35
on the eastern edge of Clear Lake. The route, overlapped
by Iowa 122
, begins as a four-lane divided highway, serving the Mason City Municipal Airport
before entering Mason City proper. Between Eisenhower and Jefferson Avenues in Mason City the highway is undivided. This road is the primary east–west artery through Mason City. At Jefferson Avenue, US 18 Bus. / Iowa 122 separate into a pair of one-way streets, remaining in this configuration through the downtown area where the Park Inn Hotel
, one of Frank Lloyd Wright
's few commercial buildings, resides. They intersect U.S. Route 65 at Federal Street. US 18 Business turns to the south to follow US 65. The business loop rejoins its parent route south of the city limits.
. The route descends into the Mississippi River
valley along the northern border of Pikes Peak State Park
and then turns into McGregor. Through McGregor, US 18 Bus. heads to the northeast towards the Mississippi River. Along the river, the highway is parallel to the DM&E Railroad. For one mile (1.6 km), US 18 Bus. travels a narrow strip of land between the river and the bluffs where it passes the Isle of Capri casino. At Marquette
, US 18 Bus. ends at the foot of the Marquette–Joliet Bridge, which carries US 18 to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
.
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. As with all state highways in Iowa, it is maintained by the Iowa Department of Transportation
Iowa Department of Transportation
In the U.S. state of Iowa, the Iowa Department of Transportation is the state government organization responsible for the organization, construction, and maintenance of the primary highway system...
(Iowa DOT). It enters the state by crossing the Big Sioux River
Big Sioux River
The Big Sioux River is a tributary of the Missouri River, long, in eastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa in the United States. The United States Board on Geographic Names settled on "Big Sioux River" as the stream's name in 1961....
between Inwood
Inwood, Iowa
Inwood is a city in Lyon County, Iowa, United States. The population was 875 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Inwood's longitude and latitude coordinatesin decimal form are 43.308770, -96.432531...
and Canton, South Dakota
Canton, South Dakota
Canton is a city in and the county seat of Lincoln County, South Dakota, United States. The city was named by Norwegian settler and former legislator James M. Wahl...
. It travels 311 miles (500.5 km) and connects Spencer
Spencer, Iowa
Spencer is a city in the state of Iowa , and the county seat of Clay County . It is located at the confluence of the Little Sioux and Ocheyedan Rivers. The population was 11,233 in the 2010 census, a decline from 11,317 in the 2000 census. Spencer is famous as the home of the Clay County Fair,...
, Mason City
Mason City, Iowa
Mason City is the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 28,079 in the 2010 census, a decline from 29,172 in the 2000 census. The Mason City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Cerro Gordo and Worth counties....
and Charles City
Charles City, Iowa
Charles City is a city in Floyd County, Iowa, United States. The population was 7,652 at the 2010 census a decrease of 160, or 2%, from 7,812 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Floyd County. Charles City is a significant commercial and transportation center for the area, located on U.S...
. The highway leaves the state via the Marquette–Joliet Bridge over the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
at Marquette
Marquette, Iowa
Marquette is a city in Clayton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 421 at the 2000 census. The city, which is located on the Mississippi River, is named after Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette, who along with Louis Joliet discovered the Mississippi River just southeast of the city on...
. Prior to becoming a U.S. Highway, the route US 18 follows was known as Primary Road No. 19 and the National Parks Pike.
Route description
U.S. Route 18 begins at the Big Sioux RiverBig Sioux River
The Big Sioux River is a tributary of the Missouri River, long, in eastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa in the United States. The United States Board on Geographic Names settled on "Big Sioux River" as the stream's name in 1961....
approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Canton, South Dakota
Canton, South Dakota
Canton is a city in and the county seat of Lincoln County, South Dakota, United States. The city was named by Norwegian settler and former legislator James M. Wahl...
. It runs easterly through rural Lyon County
Lyon County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 11,581 in the county, with a population density of . There were 4,848 housing units, of which 4,442 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, in the northwestern corner of the state. At Inwood
Inwood, Iowa
Inwood is a city in Lyon County, Iowa, United States. The population was 875 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Inwood's longitude and latitude coordinatesin decimal form are 43.308770, -96.432531...
it meets Iowa 182
Iowa Highway 182
Iowa Highway 182 is a long state highway in the northwestern corner of Iowa. It begins at U.S. Route 18 in Inwood and ends at Iowa Highway 9 southeast of Larchwood. The route swapped designations with Iowa Highway 26 in 1969.-Route description:...
, which provides access to Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the county seat of Minnehaha County, and also extends into Lincoln County to the south...
, via Iowa 9 and South Dakota Highway 42
South Dakota Highway 42
South Dakota Highway 42 travels from Ethan, SD to Rowena, SD , then turning to Iowa State Highway 9 in Iowa.Highway 42 travels through Sioux Falls, where it is known as 12th Street from the western city limits to Menlo Avenue. At Menlo Avenue, Highway 42 curves north slightly and becomes 11th...
. US 18 turns south at Inwood and heads into Sioux County
Sioux County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 33,704 in the county, with a population density of . There were 12,279 housing units, of which 11,584 were occupied.-2000 census:...
. The highway crosses the Rock River
Rock River (Iowa)
The Rock River is a tributary of the Big Sioux River, about long, in southwestern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa in the United States. Via the Big Sioux and Missouri rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River.-Course:...
on its way towards Rock Valley
Rock Valley, Iowa
Rock Valley is a city in Sioux County, Iowa, United States, along the Rock River. The population was 2,702 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rock Valley is located at ....
and Hull
Hull, Iowa
Hull is a city in Sioux County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,960 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hull is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
. West of Hull, at Perkins, US 18 juts to the south
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
along US 75 before turning east again closer to Hull. The highway continues east towards Sheldon
Sheldon, Iowa
Sheldon is a city in O'Brien and Sioux Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa, along the Floyd River. The population was 4,914 at the 2000 census; it is the largest city in O'Brien County.- History and culture :...
.
As it crosses into O'Brien County
O'Brien County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 14,398 in the county, with a population density of . There were 6,649 housing units, of which 6,069 were occupied.-2000 census:...
on the western edge of Sheldon, US 18 intersects the business loop of Iowa 60
Iowa Highway 60
Iowa Highway 60 is a north–south state highway in northwest Iowa. The highway runs at a southwest-to-northeast angle. The southern end of Iowa Highway 60 is near Le Mars at a freeway interchange with U.S. Route 75 and U.S. Route 75 Business...
. The two routes head east towards a diamond interchange
Diamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road. The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge...
with Iowa 60 on the eastern side of town where the business loop ends. The highway roughly parallels the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad
Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad
The Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad is a Class II railroad subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway operating across South Dakota and southern Minnesota in the northern plains of the United States...
(DM&E Railroad). In Sanborn
Sanborn, Iowa
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,353 people, 558 households, and 372 families residing in the city. The population density was 747.1 people per square mile . There were 593 housing units at an average density of 327.5 per square mile...
, US 18 is briefly overlapped by US 59, which joins from the north and leaves to the south. Continuing east, it passes through Hartley
Hartley, Iowa
Hartley is a city in O'Brien County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,672 in the 2010 census, a decline from 1,733 in the 2000 census.-Geography:Hartley's longitude and latitude coordinatesin decimal form are 43.181847, -95.476328...
and then enters Clay County
Clay County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 16,667 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,062 housing units, of which 7,282 were occupied.-2000 census:...
. North of Spencer
Spencer, Iowa
Spencer is a city in the state of Iowa , and the county seat of Clay County . It is located at the confluence of the Little Sioux and Ocheyedan Rivers. The population was 11,233 in the 2010 census, a decline from 11,317 in the 2000 census. Spencer is famous as the home of the Clay County Fair,...
, it intersects US 71 and the two routes head south together through town. On the south side of Spencer, the two routes come to a T intersection and each route heads in the opposite direction – US 18 to the east and US 71 to the west.
East of Spencer, US 18 passes through Ruthven
Ruthven, Iowa
Ruthven is a city in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States. The population was 711 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ruthven is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
in Palo Alto County. Between Ruthven and Emmetsburg
Emmetsburg, Iowa
Emmetsburg is a city in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,958 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Palo Alto County. Emmetsburg is home to a campus of Iowa Lakes Community College...
, it is joined by Iowa 4 from the north. The two routes split again in Emmetsburg as Iowa 4 heads south. US 18 continues east, briefly heading south to enter Cylinder
Cylinder, Iowa
Cylinder is a city in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States. The population was 110 at the 2000 census.There is no clear evidence of the derivation of the name of the town. However, one story suggests that the name comes from a vehicle that passed over the creek and dropped a cylinder...
. The route curves back to the east at the DM&E Railroad line. An intersection with Iowa 15 near Whittemore
Whittemore, Iowa
Whittemore is a city in Kossuth County, Iowa, United States. The population was 530 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
marks the Palo Alto–Kossuth
Kossuth County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 15,543 in the county, with a population density of . There were 7,486 housing units, of which 6,697 were occupied.-2000 census:...
county line. Iowa 15 follows US 18 for 1 miles (1.6 km) before it splits away to the north. On the northern edge of Algona
Algona, Iowa
Algona is a city in and the county seat of Kossuth County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,741 at the 2000 census. Ambrose A. Call State Park is located two miles southwest of the city.-History:...
, the highway meets US 169. At the eastern county line, shared with Hancock County
Hancock County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 11,341 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,330 housing units, of which 4,741 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, is an intersection with Iowa 17, which marks that route's northern end.
In Hancock County, the route passes through Britt
Britt, Iowa
Britt is a city in Hancock County, Iowa, United States, and is the home of the National Hobo Convention. The population was 2,052 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Britt is located at ....
before meeting US 69 1 miles (1.6 km) west of Garner
Garner, Iowa
Garner is a city in and the county seat of Hancock County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,129 in the 2010 census, an increase from 2,922 in the 2000 census. -History:...
; the two highways split in Garner. East of Garner, the route takes a north-northeasterly path as it goes through Ventura
Ventura, Iowa
Ventura is a city in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 670 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Mason City Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Ventura is located at ....
and skirts the northern shore of Clear Lake
Clear Lake (Iowa)
Clear Lake is the name of a natural body of water located in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa near Clear Lake, Iowa. It is approximately in size. It is a popular fishing destination, with walleye, bullhead, yellow bass and channel catfish. People from Des Moines and Minneapolis – Saint Paul have had...
. Near the northeastern shore of the lake, it enters the city of Clear Lake
Clear Lake, Iowa
Clear Lake is a city in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,161 at the 2000 census. The city is named for the large lake on which it is located. It is the home of a number of marinas, state parks and tourism-related businesses. Clear Lake is also a major stop on Interstate...
, where it meets Interstate 35 (I-35). Iowa 122
Iowa Highway 122
Iowa Highway 122 is an east–west route in Cerro Gordo County which connects the county's two largest cities, Clear Lake and Mason City. The length of the highway is . Much of the route is constructed as a four-lane expressway with at-grade intersections....
and U.S. Route 18 Business (US 18 Bus.) head east from the interchange with the interstate. US 18 traffic follows southbound I-35 for 4 miles (6.4 km). Iowa 27, the Avenue of the Saints highway, which had hitherto followed I-35 southbound now follows US 18 eastbound. The two routes, now on a four-lane, controlled-access highway
Controlled-access highway
A controlled-access highway is a highway designed exclusively for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow and ingress/egress regulated...
, follow a path which passes to the south of Mason City. They meet US 65 and US 18 Bus. at exit 186.
At the Floyd
Floyd County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 16,303 in the county, with a population density of . There were 7,526 housing units, of which 6,886 were occupied.-2000 census:...
county line, US and Iowa 27 become a limited-access road
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
and angle slightly to the northeast, passing Rudd
Rudd, Iowa
Rudd is a city in Floyd County, Iowa, United States. The population was 369 at the 2010 census a decline of 69, or 14.4%, from 431 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rudd is located at ....
. At Floyd
Floyd, Iowa
Floyd is a city in Floyd County, Iowa, United States. The population was 361 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Floyd is located at on the Cedar River....
, the two routes are joined by US 218
U.S. Route 218
U.S. Route 218 is an original United States Highway, created in 1926. Although technically a spur of U.S. Route 18, US 218 neither begins nor ends at US 18, but overlaps US 18 for near Charles City, Iowa. US 218 begins at U.S. Route 136 in downtown Keokuk and ends away at...
. The three routes head south along a bypass
Bypass
Bypass may refer to:* Bypass , in effects units, a switch that allows sound* Bypass , in computing, circumventing security features in hacking, or taking a different approach to an issue in troubleshooting* Bypass * Bypass surgery...
of Charles City
Charles City, Iowa
Charles City is a city in Floyd County, Iowa, United States. The population was 7,652 at the 2010 census a decrease of 160, or 2%, from 7,812 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Floyd County. Charles City is a significant commercial and transportation center for the area, located on U.S...
. They intersect Iowa 14 on the western side of town and take a 90-degree curve to the east. At exit 218 of the expressway, US 18 leaves US 218 and Iowa 27, which continue southeastward towards Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Cedar Falls is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States, and it is home to one of Iowa's three public universities, the University of Northern Iowa. The population was 39,260 in the 2010 census, an increase from the 36,145 population in the 2000 census...
–Waterloo
Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census the population decreased by 0.5% to 68,406. Waterloo is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the more populous of the two...
. US 18 briefly heads north into Charles City with US 218 Bus.. The two routes meet the northern end of Iowa 14, and US 18 splits away to the east to cross the Cedar River. Heading east again, the route enters Chickasaw County
Chickasaw County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,439 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,679 housing units, of which 5,204 were occupied.-2000 census:...
and passes through Bassett
Bassett, Iowa
Bassett is a city in Chickasaw County, Iowa, United States. The population was 74 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bassett is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
on its way to New Hampton
New Hampton, Iowa
New Hampton is a city in Chickasaw County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,692 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Chickasaw County.-Geography:New Hampton is located at ....
. It meets US 63 at a four-lane bypass on the western side of town. The two routes head south for 8 miles (12.9 km), splitting at an interchange which is also the eastern end of Iowa 346
Iowa Highway 346
Iowa Highway 346 is a short state highway in north-northeastern Iowa. Iowa 346 begins at U.S. Route 218 / Iowa Highway 27 at Nashua, Iowa and ends at the intersection of U.S. Route 18 and U.S. Route 63 south of New Hampton....
. It turns to the east again and travels due-east through Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Iowa
Fredericksburg is a city in Chickasaw County, Iowa, United States. The population was 984 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Fredericksburg is located at ....
.
Continuing due-east, US 18 does not enter another community for 20 miles (32.2 km) until it reaches West Union
West Union, Iowa
West Union is a city in Fayette County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,549 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Fayette County...
in Fayette County
Fayette County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 20,880 in the county, with a population density of . There were 9,558 housing units, of which 8,634 were occupied.-2000 census:...
. In West Union, it intersects Iowa 150
Iowa Highway 150
Iowa Highway 150 is a highway in eastern and northeastern Iowa. It is a north–south highway with a length of . The southern terminus of Iowa Highway 150 is at an intersection with U.S. Route 218 in Vinton. Its northern terminus is in Calmar at an intersection with U.S. Route 52 and Iowa...
. East of town, it crosses into the Driftless Area, an area that was untouched by glaciation during the last ice age. The route turns to the northeast to through Clermont
Clermont, Iowa
Clermont is a city in Fayette County, Iowa, United States. The population was 716 at the 2000 census. Clermont is home to Montauk, the mansion of former Iowa governor William Larrabee, along with much historic architecture...
and then to the north to meet US 52 at Postville
Postville, Iowa
Postville is a city in Allamakee and Clayton Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. It lies near the junction of four counties and at the intersection of U.S. Routes 18 and 52 and Iowa Highway 51, with airport facilities in the neighboring communities of Waukon, Decorah, Monona, and Prairie du Chien....
in southern Allamakee County
Allamakee County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 14,330 in the county, with a population density of . There were 7,617 housing units, of which 5,845 were occupied.-2000 census:...
. The two routes head east through Postville and turn south into Clayton County
Clayton County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 18,129 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,999 housing units, of which 7,599 were occupied.-2000 census:...
. Near Froelich, US 52 leaves to the south towards Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
. Heading to the northeast towards, McGregor
McGregor, Iowa
McGregor is a city in Clayton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 871 at the 2000 census. McGregor is located on the Mississippi River across from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Pike's Peak State Park is located just south of the city...
and Marquette
Marquette, Iowa
Marquette is a city in Clayton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 421 at the 2000 census. The city, which is located on the Mississippi River, is named after Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette, who along with Louis Joliet discovered the Mississippi River just southeast of the city on...
, its business loop goes through the towns while the mainline skirts around them. The business loop rejoins the mainline at the foot of the Marquette–Joliet Bridge, which spans the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. US 18 continues east into Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
with Wisconsin Highway 60, which begins at the state line.
History
Before it and the rest of the U.S. Highway System were designated on November 11, 1926, US 18 was known by two names in the state. It was first known as Primary Road No. 19, which was assigned to the route when the Iowa State Highway Commission published its first state highway map in 1919. The was also called the National Parks Pike, which began at Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho...
and ended in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, encompassing all of Primary Road No. 19 in the state. The Pike was registered with the on April 29, 1920. The National Parks Pike name fell into disuse after the highway became US 18.
By 1927, a significant portion of the route was paved, while the remainder was gravelled. All of O'Brien County and 80 miles (129 km) between Algona
Algona, Iowa
Algona is a city in and the county seat of Kossuth County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,741 at the 2000 census. Ambrose A. Call State Park is located two miles southwest of the city.-History:...
and Charles City
Charles City, Iowa
Charles City is a city in Floyd County, Iowa, United States. The population was 7,652 at the 2010 census a decrease of 160, or 2%, from 7,812 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Floyd County. Charles City is a significant commercial and transportation center for the area, located on U.S...
were paved. In seven years, the gap between O'Brien County and Algona was finished which created 160 miles (257 km) of continuous pavement. During those same seven years, the route from West Union
West Union, Iowa
West Union is a city in Fayette County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,549 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Fayette County...
to the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and all of Primary Road No. 59, which included the 7 miles (11.3 km) overlap of US 18 near New Hampton
New Hampton, Iowa
New Hampton is a city in Chickasaw County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,692 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Chickasaw County.-Geography:New Hampton is located at ....
were paved. Primary Road No. 59 is now known as US 63. By the start of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the only remaining section of US 18 that wasn't paved was an 11 miles (17.7 km) section west of Rock Valley
Rock Valley, Iowa
Rock Valley is a city in Sioux County, Iowa, United States, along the Rock River. The population was 2,702 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rock Valley is located at ....
in Sioux County
Sioux County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 33,704 in the county, with a population density of . There were 12,279 housing units, of which 11,584 were occupied.-2000 census:...
. That last section would not be completed for another ten years.
Prior to 1932, the only way vehicles traveling US 18 could cross the Mississippi River was by ferry. That changed in when identical suspension bridges were built to cross the river between Marquette
Marquette, Iowa
Marquette is a city in Clayton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 421 at the 2000 census. The city, which is located on the Mississippi River, is named after Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette, who along with Louis Joliet discovered the Mississippi River just southeast of the city on...
and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,911 at the 2010 census. Its Zip Code is 53821....
. Built in 1931–1932, each bridge was 450 feet (137.2 m) long and crossed a main channel of the river and were divided by a 2000 feet (609.6 m) island causeway. The first car to cross the bridges did so on March 7, 1932. Users of the bridge had to pay a toll until July 15, 1954. The bridges remained in use for another twenty years, when they were replaced by the Marquette–Joliet Bridge. In 1988–89, a bypass was built around McGregor
McGregor, Iowa
McGregor is a city in Clayton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 871 at the 2000 census. McGregor is located on the Mississippi River across from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Pike's Peak State Park is located just south of the city...
so US 18 could connect directly to the Marquette–Joliet Bridge. A short road had previously provided access to and from the bridge. The old alignment of the route became US 18 Bus.
Over the late-1990s, construction began on the Avenue of the Saints
Avenue of the Saints
The Avenue of the Saints is a highway in the Midwestern United States that connects St. Paul, Minnesota, and St. Louis, Missouri.-Missouri:Within Missouri, the Avenue of the Saints is Interstate 64, U.S...
corridor near Mason City
Mason City, Iowa
Mason City is the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 28,079 in the 2010 census, a decline from 29,172 in the 2000 census. The Mason City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Cerro Gordo and Worth counties....
. A new controlled-access facility was built south of the city east to Rudd
Rudd, Iowa
Rudd is a city in Floyd County, Iowa, United States. The population was 369 at the 2010 census a decline of 69, or 14.4%, from 431 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rudd is located at ....
. On December 5, 1999, this section of freeway opened and US 18 was realigned onto the new road. The old alignment became Iowa Highway 122
Iowa Highway 122
Iowa Highway 122 is an east–west route in Cerro Gordo County which connects the county's two largest cities, Clear Lake and Mason City. The length of the highway is . Much of the route is constructed as a four-lane expressway with at-grade intersections....
. By the end of the next year, the four-lane expressway was extended to Charles City
Charles City, Iowa
Charles City is a city in Floyd County, Iowa, United States. The population was 7,652 at the 2010 census a decrease of 160, or 2%, from 7,812 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Floyd County. Charles City is a significant commercial and transportation center for the area, located on U.S...
. By 2003, an expressway carrying US 63 was built around New Hampton
New Hampton, Iowa
New Hampton is a city in Chickasaw County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,692 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Chickasaw County.-Geography:New Hampton is located at ....
. US 18 was rerouted onto the expressway and the western end of Iowa 24
Iowa Highway 24
Iowa Highway 24 is a state highway that runs from west to east in northeast Iowa. It has a length of .-Route description:Iowa Highway 24 begins at New Hampton at a freeway interchange with U.S. Highway 63 and U.S. Highway 18. It goes east through New Hampton, then continues east to Lawler. It...
was moved to the US 63 / US 18 interchange.
Major intersections
Mason City business loop
US 18 Bus. begins at a diamond interchangeDiamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road. The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge...
with Interstate 35
Interstate 35
Interstate 35 is a north–south Interstate Highway in the central United States. I-35 stretches from Laredo, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border to Duluth, Minnesota, at Minnesota Highway 61 and 26th Avenue East. Many interstates used to have splits or spurs indicated with suffixed letters , but I-35...
on the eastern edge of Clear Lake. The route, overlapped
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
by Iowa 122
Iowa Highway 122
Iowa Highway 122 is an east–west route in Cerro Gordo County which connects the county's two largest cities, Clear Lake and Mason City. The length of the highway is . Much of the route is constructed as a four-lane expressway with at-grade intersections....
, begins as a four-lane divided highway, serving the Mason City Municipal Airport
Mason City Municipal Airport
Mason City Municipal Airport is a public airport located in the northern part of Lake Township, five miles west of the central business district of Mason City and just northeast of Clear Lake, both cities in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, USA. The airport covers and has two runways...
before entering Mason City proper. Between Eisenhower and Jefferson Avenues in Mason City the highway is undivided. This road is the primary east–west artery through Mason City. At Jefferson Avenue, US 18 Bus. / Iowa 122 separate into a pair of one-way streets, remaining in this configuration through the downtown area where the Park Inn Hotel
Park Inn Hotel
Park Inn Hotel and City National Bank are two adjacent commercial buildings located in downtown Mason City, Iowa which were designed in the Prairie School style by the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Completed in 1910, the Park Inn Hotel is the last remaining Frank Lloyd Wright designed...
, one of Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 500 works. Wright believed in designing structures which were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture...
's few commercial buildings, resides. They intersect U.S. Route 65 at Federal Street. US 18 Business turns to the south to follow US 65. The business loop rejoins its parent route south of the city limits.
Marquette–McGregor business loop
U.S. Route 18 Business begins at US 18 west of McGregorMcGregor, Iowa
McGregor is a city in Clayton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 871 at the 2000 census. McGregor is located on the Mississippi River across from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Pike's Peak State Park is located just south of the city...
. The route descends into the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
valley along the northern border of Pikes Peak State Park
Pikes Peak State Park
Pikes Peak State Park is a state park of Iowa, USA, featuring a bluff overlooking the Upper Mississippi River opposite the confluence of the Wisconsin River. The park is operated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. It is nearly a thousand acres in extent. The nearest city is McGregor,...
and then turns into McGregor. Through McGregor, US 18 Bus. heads to the northeast towards the Mississippi River. Along the river, the highway is parallel to the DM&E Railroad. For one mile (1.6 km), US 18 Bus. travels a narrow strip of land between the river and the bluffs where it passes the Isle of Capri casino. At Marquette
Marquette, Iowa
Marquette is a city in Clayton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 421 at the 2000 census. The city, which is located on the Mississippi River, is named after Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette, who along with Louis Joliet discovered the Mississippi River just southeast of the city on...
, US 18 Bus. ends at the foot of the Marquette–Joliet Bridge, which carries US 18 to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,911 at the 2010 census. Its Zip Code is 53821....
.
External links
- The Iowa Highways Page by Jason Hancock
- Twin Suspension Bridges Historic photos of the former river crossing at Marquette by John A. Weeks