U.S. Route 20 in Iowa
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 20 in Iowa
is a major east–west artery which runs across the state, separating the northern third of Iowa from the southern two-thirds. It enters Iowa from Nebraska
, concurrent with Interstate 129
and U.S Route 75, crossing the Missouri River
at Sioux City
. US 20 runs in a more-or-less straight line across Iowa, paralleling 42° 27' N. It leaves Iowa in Dubuque
by crossing the Mississippi River
into Illinois
. The state of Iowa is in the process of upgrading US 20 into a four-lane, limited-access highway for its entire length in Iowa.
and U.S. Route 75 on a freeway which bypasses Sioux City
to the south and east. Immediately after crossing the Missouri River
into Iowa, Interstate 129 ends and US 20/US 75 intersect Interstate 29
and US 75 Business. On the east side of Sioux City at Gordon Drive, US 20 exits the US 75 freeway, which continues towards Le Mars
.
East of Sioux City
, U.S. Route 20 continues as an expressway until Moville
. From there, it is a rural, two-lane highway with only a short expressway segment just south of Holstein
, which is briefly concurrent with U.S. Route 59. From US 59, it is nearly 70 miles (112.7 km) until US 20 has another four-lane segment. On this two-lane segment, US 20 passes through the towns of Early
and Sac City
, and overlaps U.S. Route 71 for 3.6 miles (5.8 km) beginning just north of Early.
As of December 2010, the newest section of U.S. Route 20 was in operation, starting just northwest of Rockwell City
, being concurrent with Iowa Highway 4 for a short while, and extending to the former beginning of the four-lane expressway northeast of Moorland
. This continues until just south of Highview, when it becomes a full interstate-standard freeway. The freeway runs south of Fort Dodge
where it has interchanges with U.S. Route 169 and Webster County Route P59. East of Fort Dodge, US 20 overlaps with Iowa Highway 17 for 4.5 miles (7.2 km), ending at Webster City
. Near Williams
, US 20 intersects Interstate 35, beginning the newest section of four-lane freeway, which shaved nearly 16 miles (25.7 km) off of US 20's length. Prior to 2003, US joined U.S. Route 65 north through Iowa Falls
and then east towards Ackley
and Parkersburg
before heading south again to the freeway with Iowa Highway 14. The bridge crossing the Iowa River
near Owasa
is a launched steel I-girder bridge, the first of its kind in the United States. The bridge was designed to cross the old-growth woodland of the Iowa River valley with minimal impact.
U.S. Route 20 continues east towards Cedar Falls
where it overlapped by Iowa Highway 58
for just over 1 miles (1.6 km). The western junction of Iowa 58 (Hudson Road) connects traffic to the University of Northern Iowa
while the eastern junction of Iowa 58 is also the western junction of Iowa Highway 27, the Avenue of the Saints
. Another mile east, in Waterloo
, US 20 intersects U.S. Route 63 (Sergeant Road). On the southeast side of Waterloo, Interstate 380
joins US 20/IA 27 for 6 miles (9.7 km) before exiting with Iowa 27 south towards Cedar Rapids
.
U.S. 20 continues as a freeway east of Waterloo. It intersects Iowa Highway 150
at Independence
and Iowa Highway 13 at Manchester
, as well as junctioning a number of county roads serving smaller communities. Approximately 21 miles (33.8 km) between Independence and Manchester go over a terminal moraine
and enter the Driftless Area, a region it will not exit until Stockton, Illinois
. The Freeway ends at Delaware.
At Delaware, US 20 becomes an expressway
with at-grade intersections; however, there are many interchanges where US 20 meets major roads, mostly at the villages and towns along US 20's route. US 20 serves Earlville
, Dyersville
(passing near the Field of Dreams
filming site), Farley
, Epworth
, and Peosta
before entering Dubuque. US 20 remains at least four lanes through Dubuque, but there are several stoplights along the route, particularly on the western edge of the city. There is a brief controlled-access section where the highway descends into the Mississippi River
valley. Near the river, Locust Street connects US 20 with U.S. Route 52
, U.S. Route 61
, and U.S. Route 151
, which have entered the city from the south as an expressway and continue northward as a freeway. US 20 crosses from Iowa into Illinois
via the Julien Dubuque Bridge
.
It is possible to drive most of US 20's former two-lane alignment from Moorland to Dubuque. Most of this routing (with the exception of Iowa Highway 57
from US 65 to Cedar Falls) is now under city and county control, but most of the guide signs remain from when US 20 followed this route. From Moorland, the highway's former alignment is U.S. Route 20 Business through Fort Dodge. At Webster County Route P59, it continues on Webster County Route D20. The road changes designations several times between this point and Iowa Falls, but its route is very clear. It follows US 65 north out of Iowa Falls to the junction of Iowa 57, then follows 57 to Cedar Falls. At Cedar Falls, the former alignment continues on US 218 to Broadway Street; through Waterloo, it follows Broadway to Franklin Street to Dubuque Road. Beyond Waterloo, the designation of the road again changes several times, but the route to follow remains clear. Between Dyersville and Farley, US 20 follows its historic alignment. At Farley, the former alignment follows Old Highway Road into Dubuque.
During the 1990s little work was done to the route. It was extended westward to US 169 in 1991, and eastward to US 65 the same year, though initially the section from I-35 to US 65 was only two lanes. The new, semi-controlled section in Dubuque opened in 1996. Work began to accelerate in 2000, with the section between Interstate 35 and U.S. Route 65 becoming four lanes that year. The segment from Iowa 14 to Cedar Falls also opened in 2000. By 2003, the highway was complete from Fort Dodge to Dubuque.
West of US 71, the remaining length of US 20 (approximately 60 miles) faces an uncertain future. The state has stated its intention to finish the project, but has not formally committed to a completion date. Community leaders in the northwestern Iowa communities which would be served by a four-lane U.S. 20 continue to advocate for its completion, and impact studies are under way.
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...
is a major east–west artery which runs across the state, separating the northern third of Iowa from the southern two-thirds. It enters Iowa from Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, concurrent with Interstate 129
Interstate 129
Interstate 129 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway which connects South Sioux City to Interstate 29 in Sioux City, Iowa. Opened in 1976, I-129 is a long route, running in Nebraska. At , Interstate 129 is the shortest highway in the state of Iowa...
and U.S Route 75, crossing the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
at Sioux City
Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state....
. US 20 runs in a more-or-less straight line across Iowa, paralleling 42° 27' N. It leaves Iowa in 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....
by crossing 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...
into Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. The state of Iowa is in the process of upgrading US 20 into a four-lane, limited-access highway for its entire length in Iowa.
Route description
U.S. Route 20 enters Iowa concurrent with Interstate 129Interstate 129
Interstate 129 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway which connects South Sioux City to Interstate 29 in Sioux City, Iowa. Opened in 1976, I-129 is a long route, running in Nebraska. At , Interstate 129 is the shortest highway in the state of Iowa...
and U.S. Route 75 on a freeway which bypasses Sioux City
Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state....
to the south and east. Immediately after crossing the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
into Iowa, Interstate 129 ends and US 20/US 75 intersect Interstate 29
Interstate 29 in Iowa
In the U.S. state of Iowa, Interstate 29 is a north–south Interstate Highway which closely parallels the Missouri River. I-29 enters Iowa from Missouri near Hamburg and heads to the north-northwest through the Omaha-Council Bluffs and the Sioux City areas. It exits the state by crossing...
and US 75 Business. On the east side of Sioux City at Gordon Drive, US 20 exits the US 75 freeway, which continues towards Le Mars
Le Mars, Iowa
Le Mars is a city in and the county seat of Plymouth County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,237 at the 2000 census. Le Mars is the home of Wells' Dairy, the world's largest producer of ice cream novelties in one location and is the self-proclaimed "Ice Cream Capital of the World". Wells...
.
East of Sioux City
Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state....
, U.S. Route 20 continues as an expressway until Moville
Moville, Iowa
Moville is a city in Woodbury County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Sioux City, IA–NE–SD Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,618 in the 2010 census, an increase from 1,583 in the 2000 census...
. From there, it is a rural, two-lane highway with only a short expressway segment just south of Holstein
Holstein, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 1,396 in the city, with a population density of . There were 674 housing units, of which 616 were occupied. -2000 census:...
, which is briefly concurrent with U.S. Route 59. From US 59, it is nearly 70 miles (112.7 km) until US 20 has another four-lane segment. On this two-lane segment, US 20 passes through the towns of Early
Early, Iowa
Early is a city in Sac County, Iowa, United States. The population was 605 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Early is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
and Sac City
Sac City, Iowa
Sac City is a city in and the county seat of Sac County, Iowa, United States, located in the rolling hills along the valley of the North Raccoon River, in one of America's prime agricultural regions. U.S. Route 20 bisects the city, forming its Main Street, and the city is one of 45 designated Main...
, and overlaps U.S. Route 71 for 3.6 miles (5.8 km) beginning just north of Early.
As of December 2010, the newest section of U.S. Route 20 was in operation, starting just northwest of Rockwell City
Rockwell City, Iowa
Rockwell City is a city in Calhoun County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,264 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Calhoun County.-Geography:Rockwell City is located at ....
, being concurrent with Iowa Highway 4 for a short while, and extending to the former beginning of the four-lane expressway northeast of Moorland
Moorland, Iowa
Moorland is a city in Webster County, Iowa, United States. The population was 197 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Moorland is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
. This continues until just south of Highview, when it becomes a full interstate-standard freeway. The freeway runs south of Fort Dodge
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Fort Dodge is a city and county seat of Webster County, Iowa, United States, along the Des Moines River. The population was 25,206 in the 2010 census, an increase from 25,136 in the 2000 census. Fort Dodge is a major commercial center for North Central and Northwest Iowa. It is located on U.S...
where it has interchanges with U.S. Route 169 and Webster County Route P59. East of Fort Dodge, US 20 overlaps with Iowa Highway 17 for 4.5 miles (7.2 km), ending at Webster City
Webster City, Iowa
Webster City is a city in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,070 at the United States 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Hamilton County. Webster City is known as 'Boone River Country' with the Boone River meandering along the east side of the city from north to south...
. Near Williams
Williams, Iowa
Williams is a city in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 427 at the 2000 census. Williams is a regional center of wind power generation.-Geography:Williams is located at ....
, US 20 intersects Interstate 35, beginning the newest section of four-lane freeway, which shaved nearly 16 miles (25.7 km) off of US 20's length. Prior to 2003, US joined U.S. Route 65 north through Iowa Falls
Iowa Falls, Iowa
Iowa Falls is a city in Hardin County, Iowa, United States. Iowa Falls is the home of Ellsworth Community College. It is also a regional transportation center, located along U.S. Routes 20 and 65 and the Canadian National and Union Pacific Railroads. The population was 5,193 at the 2000 census. A...
and then east towards Ackley
Ackley, Iowa
Ackley is a city in Franklin and Hardin Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 1,809 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ackley is located at ....
and Parkersburg
Parkersburg, Iowa
Parkersburg is a city in Butler County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,870 in the 2010 census, a decline from 1,889 in the 2000 census. Parkersburg, although not the county seat, has the highest population of all the cities in Butler County....
before heading south again to the freeway with Iowa Highway 14. The bridge crossing the Iowa River
Iowa River
The Iowa River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the state of Iowa in the United States. It is about long and is open to small river craft to Iowa City, about from its mouth...
near Owasa
Owasa, Iowa
Owasa is a city in Hardin County, Iowa, United States. The population was 38 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Owasa is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
is a launched steel I-girder bridge, the first of its kind in the United States. The bridge was designed to cross the old-growth woodland of the Iowa River valley with minimal impact.
U.S. Route 20 continues east 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...
where it overlapped by Iowa Highway 58
Iowa Highway 58
Iowa Highway 58 is a state highway that runs from north to south in northeast Iowa. A portion of the highway is overlapped by the Avenue of the Saints. Iowa 58 begins at U.S. Route 63 in Hudson and ends at an interchange with U.S. Route 218 and Iowa Highway 57...
for just over 1 miles (1.6 km). The western junction of Iowa 58 (Hudson Road) connects traffic to the University of Northern Iowa
University of Northern Iowa
The University of Northern Iowa is a college located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States. UNI offers more than 120 majors across the colleges of Business Administration, Education, Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral sciences, and graduate college.UNI has...
while the eastern junction of Iowa 58 is also the western junction of Iowa Highway 27, 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...
. Another mile east, in 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 20 intersects U.S. Route 63 (Sergeant Road). On the southeast side of Waterloo, Interstate 380
Interstate 380 (Iowa)
Interstate 380 is a auxiliary Interstate Highway located in eastern Iowa. The route extends from Interstate 80 near Coralville to Waterloo. I-380 connects the cities of Cedar Rapids and Waterloo, the second- and fifth-largest cities in the state, respectively, to the Interstate Highway System. ...
joins US 20/IA 27 for 6 miles (9.7 km) before exiting with Iowa 27 south towards Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city...
.
U.S. 20 continues as a freeway east of Waterloo. It intersects Iowa Highway 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...
at Independence
Independence, Iowa
Independence is a city in and the county seat of Buchanan County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,966 in the 2010 census, a decline from 6,014 in the 2000 census...
and Iowa Highway 13 at Manchester
Manchester, Iowa
Manchester is a city in Delaware County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,257 at the 2000 census. As of the 2005 population estimates, Manchester's population was 5,052...
, as well as junctioning a number of county roads serving smaller communities. Approximately 21 miles (33.8 km) between Independence and Manchester go over a terminal moraine
Terminal moraine
A terminal moraine, also called end moraine, is a moraine that forms at the end of the glacier called the snout.Terminal moraines mark the maximum advance of the glacier. An end moraine is at the present boundary of the glacier....
and enter the Driftless Area, a region it will not exit until Stockton, Illinois
Stockton, Illinois
Stockton is a village in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,862 at the 2010 census, down from 1,926 at the 2000 census.-History:The village of Stockton is the youngest village in Jo Daviess County...
. The Freeway ends at Delaware.
At Delaware, US 20 becomes an expressway
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...
with at-grade intersections; however, there are many interchanges where US 20 meets major roads, mostly at the villages and towns along US 20's route. US 20 serves Earlville
Earlville, Iowa
Earlville is a city in Delaware County, Iowa, United States. The population was 900 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Earlville is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, Dyersville
Dyersville, Iowa
Dyersville is a city in eastern Delaware and western Dubuque Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is part of the Dubuque, Iowa, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,035 at the 2000 census and was estimated to be 4,167 in 2006....
(passing near the Field of Dreams
Field of Dreams (Dubuque County, Iowa)
The Field of Dreams is a baseball field and pop-culture tourist attraction built originally for the movie of the same name. It is in Dubuque County, Iowa, near Dyersville....
filming site), Farley
Farley, Iowa
Farley is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,334 at the 2000 census, but is now estimated to be 1,415...
, Epworth
Epworth, Iowa
Epworth is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,428 at the 2000 census, but is now estimated to be 1,589 ....
, and Peosta
Peosta, Iowa
Peosta is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, and an exurb of the city of Dubuque. It is part of the Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,377 in the 2010 census, an increase of 111.5% from 651 in the 2000 census...
before entering Dubuque. US 20 remains at least four lanes through Dubuque, but there are several stoplights along the route, particularly on the western edge of the city. There is a brief controlled-access section where the highway 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. Near the river, Locust Street connects US 20 with U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
, U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
, and U.S. Route 151
U.S. Route 151
U.S. Route 151 is a U.S. Highway that runs through the states of Iowa and Wisconsin. The southern terminus for U.S. 151 is at a junction with Interstate 80 in Iowa County, Iowa, and its northern terminus is at Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The route, from south to north follows a northeasterly path through...
, which have entered the city from the south as an expressway and continue northward as a freeway. US 20 crosses from Iowa into Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
via the Julien Dubuque Bridge
Julien Dubuque Bridge
The Julien Dubuque Bridge traverses the Mississippi River. It joins the cities of Dubuque, Iowa, and East Dubuque, Illinois. The bridge is part of the U.S. Highway 20 route...
.
History
U.S. Route 20 was designated in Iowa on October 16, 1926. The designation created a single route number for drivers to follow across the state from Sioux City to Dubuque; previously, three route numbers were used.It is possible to drive most of US 20's former two-lane alignment from Moorland to Dubuque. Most of this routing (with the exception of Iowa Highway 57
Iowa Highway 57
Iowa Highway 57 is a state highway that runs from west to east in northern Iowa. Its western terminus is at U.S. Route 65 northeast of Iowa Falls. Its eastern terminus is at an intersection with U.S. Highway 218, Iowa Highway 27, and Iowa Highway 58 in Cedar Falls. It currently follows much of U.S...
from US 65 to Cedar Falls) is now under city and county control, but most of the guide signs remain from when US 20 followed this route. From Moorland, the highway's former alignment is U.S. Route 20 Business through Fort Dodge. At Webster County Route P59, it continues on Webster County Route D20. The road changes designations several times between this point and Iowa Falls, but its route is very clear. It follows US 65 north out of Iowa Falls to the junction of Iowa 57, then follows 57 to Cedar Falls. At Cedar Falls, the former alignment continues on US 218 to Broadway Street; through Waterloo, it follows Broadway to Franklin Street to Dubuque Road. Beyond Waterloo, the designation of the road again changes several times, but the route to follow remains clear. Between Dyersville and Farley, US 20 follows its historic alignment. At Farley, the former alignment follows Old Highway Road into Dubuque.
Expansion project
The first segment of US 20 in Iowa to become four lanes was a short expressway segment east of Moville, which opened in 1958. Another short expressway segment in the Dubuque area opened in 1959. The rest of the expressway from Sioux City to Moville opened in 1964. By 1979 the Sioux City bypass was complete, as well as the section from Iowa 17 to Interstate 35, and the section from Independence to Delaware. By the end of the 1980s, the four-lane portions of US 20 ran from Coalville (near Fort Dodge) to Interstate 35 and from Waterloo to Dubuque.During the 1990s little work was done to the route. It was extended westward to US 169 in 1991, and eastward to US 65 the same year, though initially the section from I-35 to US 65 was only two lanes. The new, semi-controlled section in Dubuque opened in 1996. Work began to accelerate in 2000, with the section between Interstate 35 and U.S. Route 65 becoming four lanes that year. The segment from Iowa 14 to Cedar Falls also opened in 2000. By 2003, the highway was complete from Fort Dodge to Dubuque.
Future
As of 2006, the state of Iowa was acquiring right of way to extend the US 20 expressway westward from Moorland to a point 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of the current north junction with US 71. Paving work between Iowa Highway 4 and Moorland was completed in 2010 and the stretch was opened in December 2010. Between Iowa 4 and U.S. 71 culverts and bridges were being constructed in Sac County as of March 2011. IADOT expects completion of 4-lane to Sac County Road N14 by the end of 2012 and to U.S. 71 by the end of 2013.West of US 71, the remaining length of US 20 (approximately 60 miles) faces an uncertain future. The state has stated its intention to finish the project, but has not formally committed to a completion date. Community leaders in the northwestern Iowa communities which would be served by a four-lane U.S. 20 continue to advocate for its completion, and impact studies are under way.
Exit list
| County | Location | Mile | Exit Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbury Woodbury County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 102,172 in the county, with a population density of . There were 41,454 housing units, of which 39,052 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
Sioux City Sioux City, Iowa Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state.... |
0.00 | |||
| 1 | , South Sioux City South Sioux City, Nebraska -2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,925 people, 4,304 households, and 2,961 families residing in the city. Of the 11,925 people, 48.6% are male and 51.4% are female. The population density was 2,431.6 people per square mile . There were 4,557 housing units at an average density of... |
End of overlap with I-129. Signed as exits 1A (north) and 1B (south). |
|||
| 1 | Lakeport Road | ||||
| 2 | Sunnybrook Drive | ||||
| 3 | Morningside Avenue | Former IA 982 | |||
| 4 | End of overlap with US 75. Signed as exits 4A (east) and 4B (west) |
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| Moville Moville, Iowa Moville is a city in Woodbury County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Sioux City, IA–NE–SD Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,618 in the 2010 census, an increase from 1,583 in the 2000 census... |
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| Correctionville Correctionville, Iowa Correctionville is a city in Woodbury County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Sioux City, IA–NE–SD Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 851 at the 2000 census. The town name comes from the original survey of the town. The site lies on a surveyor's correction line,... |
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| Ida Ida County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 7,089 in the county, with a population density of . There were 3,426 housing units, of which 3,052 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
Holstein Holstein, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 1,396 in the city, with a population density of . There were 674 housing units, of which 616 were occupied. -2000 census:... |
West end of US 59 overlap | |||
| East end of US 59 overlap | |||||
| Sac Sac County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 10,350 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,429 housing units, of which 4,482 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
Schaller Schaller, Iowa Schaller is a city in Sac County, Iowa, United States. The population was 779 at the 2000 census.- History :The town of Schaller, named after Phil Schaller, was incorporated in 1882. The town had been founded in August 1879 as a station for the railroad under construction. The economy then, as... |
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| Early Early, Iowa Early is a city in Sac County, Iowa, United States. The population was 605 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Early is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
West end of US 71 overlap | ||||
| East end of US 71 overlap | |||||
| Sac City Sac City, Iowa Sac City is a city in and the county seat of Sac County, Iowa, United States, located in the rolling hills along the valley of the North Raccoon River, in one of America's prime agricultural regions. U.S. Route 20 bisects the city, forming its Main Street, and the city is one of 45 designated Main... |
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| Calhoun Calhoun County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 14,867 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,108 housing units, of which 4,242 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
Rockwell City Rockwell City, Iowa Rockwell City is a city in Calhoun County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,264 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Calhoun County.-Geography:Rockwell City is located at .... |
West end of IA 4 overlap | |||
| East end of IA 4 overlap. | |||||
| Webster Webster County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 38,013 in the county, with a population density of . There were 17,035 housing units, of which 15,580 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
Moorland Moorland, Iowa Moorland is a city in Webster County, Iowa, United States. The population was 197 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Moorland is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
US 20 Business signed eastbound only | |||
| Fort Dodge Fort Dodge, Iowa Fort Dodge is a city and county seat of Webster County, Iowa, United States, along the Des Moines River. The population was 25,206 in the 2010 census, an increase from 25,136 in the 2000 census. Fort Dodge is a major commercial center for North Central and Northwest Iowa. It is located on U.S... |
121 | ||||
| Coalville Coalville, Iowa Coalville is a census-designated place in Webster County, Iowa, United States. The population was 591 at the 2000 census. The community is located on U.S. Route 20 near Fort Dodge's large gypsum mines.-History:... |
124 | US 20 Business signed westbound only | |||
| Hamilton Hamilton County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 15,673 in the county, with a population density of . There were 7,219 housing units, of which 6,540 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
Webster City Webster City, Iowa Webster City is a city in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,070 at the United States 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Hamilton County. Webster City is known as 'Boone River Country' with the Boone River meandering along the east side of the city from north to south... |
136 | West end of IA 17 overlap | ||
| 140 | East end of IA 17 overlap | ||||
| 145 | |||||
| Blairsburg Blairsburg, Iowa Blairsburg is a city in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 235 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Blairsburg is located at .... |
149 | ||||
| Williams Williams, Iowa Williams is a city in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 427 at the 2000 census. Williams is a regional center of wind power generation.-Geography:Williams is located at .... |
153 | Signed as exits 153A (south) and 153B (north) | |||
| 157 | |||||
| Hardin Hardin County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 17,534 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,224 housing units, of which 7,296 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
Buckeye Buckeye, Iowa Buckeye is a city in Hardin County, Iowa, United States. The population was 110 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Buckeye's longitude and latitude coordinatesin decimal form are 42.419473 -93.375829... |
162 | Former IA 359 | ||
| Iowa Falls Iowa Falls, Iowa Iowa Falls is a city in Hardin County, Iowa, United States. Iowa Falls is the home of Ellsworth Community College. It is also a regional transportation center, located along U.S. Routes 20 and 65 and the Canadian National and Union Pacific Railroads. The population was 5,193 at the 2000 census. A... |
168 | ||||
| Owasa Owasa, Iowa Owasa is a city in Hardin County, Iowa, United States. The population was 38 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Owasa is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
175 | ||||
| Steamboat Rock Steamboat Rock, Iowa Steamboat Rock is a city in Hardin County, Iowa, United States. The population was 336 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Steamboat Rock is located at .... |
181 | ||||
| Grundy Grundy County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,453 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,530 housing units, of which 5,131 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
Wellsburg Wellsburg, Iowa Wellsburg is a city in Grundy County, Iowa, United States. The population was 707 at the 2010 census a 1.3% decrease from 716 at the 2000 census... |
187 | Former IA 214 | ||
| Milepost equation Milepost equation A milepost equation, milepoint equation, or postmile equation is a place where mileposts on a linear feature, such as a highway or rail line, fail to increase normally, usually due to realignment or changes in planned alignment... : 195 back = 208 ahead. |
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| Holland Holland, Iowa Holland is a city in Grundy County, Iowa, United States. The population was 250 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Holland is located at .... |
208 | ||||
| Dike Dike, Iowa Dike is a city in Grundy County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,209 at the 2010 census an increase of 28% increase from 944 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. Dike was named for railroad construction engineer Chester Thomas... |
215 | ||||
| 220 | |||||
| Black Hawk Black Hawk County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 131,090 in the county, with a population density of . There were 55,887 housing units, of which 52,470 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
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| 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... |
224 | , University of Northern Iowa University of Northern Iowa The University of Northern Iowa is a college located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States. UNI offers more than 120 majors across the colleges of Business Administration, Education, Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral sciences, and graduate college.UNI has... , UNI-Dome UNI-Dome UNI-Dome is a multi-purpose stadium, on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States. It opened in 1976, as the home of the UNI Panthers basketball and football teams. The facility's capacity, for football, is 16,324... |
West end of IA 58 overlap | ||
| 225 | ,  AirportWaterloo Regional Airport - External links :*, official site*... |
East end of IA 58 overlap. West end of IA 27 overlap | |||
| 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... |
227 | ||||
| 229 | Ansborough Avenue | ||||
| 230 | |||||
| 71 232 |
West end of I-380 overlap. Signed as exits 232A/71B (south) and 232B/71A (north) |
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| Evansdale Evansdale, Iowa Evansdale is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,751 in the 2010 census, an increase from 4,526 in the 2000 census. It is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... |
70 | River Forest Road | |||
| 68 | Evansdale Drive – Elk Run Heights Elk Run Heights, Iowa Elk Run Heights is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,052 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Elk Run Heights is located at .... |
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| Raymond Raymond, Iowa Raymond is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 537 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Raymond is located at .... |
66 | Former IA 297 | |||
| East end of I-380 / IA 27 overlap | |||||
| 240 | |||||
| Buchanan Buchanan County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 20,958 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,968 housing units, of which 8,161 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
Jesup Jesup, Iowa Jesup is a city in Black Hawk and Buchanan Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 2,212 at the 2000 census.The Black Hawk County portion of Jesup is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... |
245 | |||
| Independence Independence, Iowa Independence is a city in and the county seat of Buchanan County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,966 in the 2010 census, a decline from 6,014 in the 2000 census... |
252 | Independence Independence, Iowa Independence is a city in and the county seat of Buchanan County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,966 in the 2010 census, a decline from 6,014 in the 2000 census... |
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| 254 | |||||
| Winthrop Winthrop, Iowa Winthrop is a city in Buchanan County, Iowa, United States. The population was 772 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Winthrop is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
261 | Former IA 282 | |||
| Masonville Masonville, Iowa Masonville is a city in Delaware County, Iowa, United States. The population was 104 at the 2000 census. The city is located on the western border between Delaware and Buchanan counties.-Geography:Masonville is located at .... |
266 | ||||
| Delaware Delaware County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 17,764 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,028 housing units, of which 7,062 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
Manchester Manchester, Iowa Manchester is a city in Delaware County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,257 at the 2000 census. As of the 2005 population estimates, Manchester's population was 5,052... |
275 | |||
| 277 | |||||
| Delaware Delaware, Iowa Delaware is a city in Delaware County, Iowa, United States. The population was 188 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Delaware is located at .... |
282 | ||||
| Earlville Earlville, Iowa Earlville is a city in Delaware County, Iowa, United States. The population was 900 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Earlville is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
285 | ||||
| Dubuque Dubuque County, Iowa Dubuque County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 93,653 in the 2010 census, an increase from 89,143 in the 2000 census. The county seat is the city of Dubuque. Dubuque County is coterminous with the Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the seventh... |
Dyersville Dyersville, Iowa Dyersville is a city in eastern Delaware and western Dubuque Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is part of the Dubuque, Iowa, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,035 at the 2000 census and was estimated to be 4,167 in 2006.... |
294 | |||
| Farley Farley, Iowa Farley is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,334 at the 2000 census, but is now estimated to be 1,415... |
300 | ||||
| Epworth Epworth, Iowa Epworth is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,428 at the 2000 census, but is now estimated to be 1,589 .... |
304 | ||||
| Peosta Peosta, Iowa Peosta is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, and an exurb of the city of Dubuque. It is part of the Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,377 in the 2010 census, an increase of 111.5% from 651 in the 2000 census... |
308 | , Northeast Iowa Community College Northeast Iowa Community College Northeast Iowa Community College serves the Iowa counties of Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, Winneshiek, Dubuque, and Delaware counties. It also includes sections of Bremer, Buchanan, Jones, Jackson, and Mitchell counties. The college is commonly referred to as NICC. There are two... |
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| 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.... |
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| Grandview Avenue, Fremont Avenue | |||||
| Hill Street, Bryant Street | |||||
External links
- US 20 at the Iowa Highways Page
- U.S. 20 Corridor Association (group advocating completion of the four-lane expressway in western Iowa)
- Pictures of "Iowa's Most Stupid Intersection" at Iowa Highway Ends