Iowa Great River Road Trip

The Iowa Great River Road Trip is a scenic drive that takes you along the Mississippi River. Starting in Keokuk, Iowa, the route takes you 519km north to Lansing, Iowa. Along the way, you’ll pass through the towns of Burlington, Davenport, and Dubuque. Each of these towns offers a variety of attractions, from historic sites to museums. The best time to take this road trip is from spring to autumn, when the weather is most pleasant. The roads are in good condition, so the trip can be managed by drivers of all levels. This is a great trip for those who are looking for an affordable way to explore the area. With three days to complete the journey, you’ll have plenty of time to take in the sights and sounds of the Great River Road.

Keokuk is a charming small town located in the southeast corner of Iowa along the Mississippi River. It is the perfect starting point for the Iowa Great River Road Trip, a scenic journey along the mighty Mississippi River. Keokuk boasts a wide variety of attractions that are sure to delight visitors. The most iconic is the Keokuk-Hamilton Hydroelectric Dam, a marvel of engineering that offers breathtaking views of the Mississippi River. The nearby Geode State Park is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, with its stunning sandstone formations, hiking trails, and wildlife. The city also features a number of historic sites, including the Rand Park and the historic Grand Avenue District. For those traveling by air, the closest international airport to Keokuk is the Quad City International Airport (MLI). From there, car rentals are available, making it easy to start your road trip. Keokuk is an ideal starting point for the Iowa Great River Road Trip, offering visitors a wide array of sights, attractions, and activities. With its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and abundance of recreational opportunities, Keokuk is the perfect place to begin your journey.

Are you ready for a memorable road trip from Keokuk to Burlington? This journey will take you around 46 miles and less than 2 hours of driving. You can start your journey by visiting the George M. Verity River Museum in Keokuk, a museum dedicated to the history of the Mississippi River. Then, take a stroll along the riverfront and admire the beauty of the Mississippi. After that, you can head to the Des Moines County Historical Society Museum in Burlington, which houses artifacts and documents that tell the story of the city's history. Next, you can visit the Snake Alley Art Center and the Burlington Public Library, both of which are great places to explore the city's culture. Finally, you can visit the Crapo Park and the Burlington Steamboat Days, two of the city's most popular attractions. At the park, you can take a leisurely stroll along the lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery. At the Steamboat Days, you can enjoy a variety of activities, including live music, food, and entertainment. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, what are you waiting for? Begin your journey from Keokuk to Burlington and make some amazing memories!

Welcome to the Burlington to Davenport road trip stage! This 81-mile journey will take you less than 3 hours of driving and will take you through some of the most beautiful landscapes of the United States. Start your adventure in Burlington, the largest city in the state of Vermont. Here you can visit the Ethan Allen Homestead, a historic house museum where you can learn about the life and legacy of Vermont’s most famous Revolutionary War hero. Continue your journey to Davenport, a small town located on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Here you can explore the Putnam Museum and Science Center, a great place to learn about the history and culture of the area. Along the way, you can also take a detour to the charming town of Winooski, where you can visit the Winooski Falls and take a stroll along the Winooski River. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, check the “Itinerary” of this stage. Enjoy your road trip!

Embark on an unforgettable road trip from Davenport to Dubuque! Enjoy the 104 miles of rolling hills and winding roads that stretch between these two cities, taking no more than 3 hours of your time. Start your journey in Davenport, the city that was once the largest in Iowa, and explore the Figge Art Museum, the Putnam Museum and Science Center, and the German American Heritage Center. Continue your drive to the city of Dubuque, known as the “Masterpiece on the Mississippi”, and visit the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, and the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the “Itinerary” of this stage. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, the friendly locals, and the charming small towns along the way, and make sure to take plenty of photos to remember this amazing road trip!

Embark on a road trip from Dubuque to Lansing and explore the best of the Midwest! Start off in Dubuque, Iowa, the oldest city in the state, and visit the Diamond Jo Casino, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, and the historic Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Then, drive 91 miles through the rural countryside to Lansing, Michigan, and explore its attractions, such as the Potter Park Zoo, the Impression 5 Science Center, and the Michigan State Capitol. With a driving time of fewer than 5 hours, you'll have plenty of time to explore both cities on this stage of your road trip. For more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage.

The Iowa Great River Road Trip is an incredible journey that takes you through some of the most beautiful places in the Midwest. After the trip, the journey will end in Lansing, a vibrant city located in the state of Iowa. Lansing is full of exciting things to do, from exploring the breathtaking Driftless Area to discovering the city’s unique culture and dining scene. For those looking to explore the outdoors, there are plenty of opportunities, including biking, hiking, and fishing. The city also has several parks and trails, perfect for a leisurely stroll or a more adventurous outing. Culture and history buffs will find plenty to appreciate in Lansing. The city is home to numerous historic sites, including the Lansing Historical Museum and the Lansing Historical Marker. Visitors can also explore the city’s vibrant art scene, from galleries to street art. When it comes to food, Lansing offers a variety of options. The city is home to several local restaurants, offering everything from classic American fare to international cuisine. Visitors can also explore the city’s farmers’ markets, which offer fresh produce and other local products. For those traveling by air, the closest international airport is the Des Moines International Airport (DSM). The airport is located a short drive away, making it easy to get to Lansing after the Iowa Great River Road Trip. Lansing is the perfect ending point for the Iowa Great River Road Trip. With its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and amazing food, the city is sure to provide a memorable experience.

We believe that our itinerary idea has become a perfect inspiration for your future holidays.
The itinerary we’ve suggested can be used as a template that you can recreate in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with original attractions.
If car travel is a travel mode that you prefer, there are a number of vital road rules to follow and a number of things to be mindful of to ensure safety. These tips will surely become useful for holidayers who are interested in vehicle rental or hiring a camper.
When driving around Iowa, there are a number of road rules to be bore in mind. In Iowa, if you are planning to drive, try avoiding alcoholic beverages at any price. Tourists ought to remember that the allowed level of alcohol in blood is rather low and equals only 0.5‰. You can drive at the maximum speed of 40km/h when travelling around the the city streets. Outside the cities, you can travel at the maximum car speed of 72km/h. Avoid exceeding the permissible speed of 129km/h when driving on motorways. Having a first aid kit and fire extinguisher in your car and driving with your headlights on at daytime heavily increase the safety of you and your passengers.
How about the costs of the trip? The amount of money that you have to spend during the whole adventure depends on budget option that you select. A wide range of budget configurations is presented below.
If you’d like to benefit from the cheapest offer to cover the planned 5 stages across Iowa, it can equal as much as 75 EUR. Holidaymakers will have to spend the average of up to 242 EUR on economy overnight stays. If this option is your target, you will spend about 216 EUR on food and restaurants. Travellers will have to pay approximately 135 EUR if they are interested in the cheapest rental car option as well. Thus, going for vehicle rental will increase the expenses of the road trip from approximately 533 EUR to more or less 668 EUR.
Holidaymakers who are looking for greater comfort and the standard option should be prepared to pay the maximum of 88 EUR for the gasoline needed to cover the tour. If you are into standard accommodation options, you should keep in mind that the costs can amount up to about 352 EUR. Travellers can expect that the standard option in terms of food and restaurants will cost roughly 324 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the trip in a standard rental vehicle can expect a cost of roughly 162 EUR. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay about 926 EUR for the whole itinerary, whereas those who are not interested in car hire will spend about 764 EUR.
The highest level of comfort of the premium option will meet the expectations of the most demanding drivers. When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total about 1,421 EUR for holidaymakers who are considering vehicle rental and 764 EUR for those who do not want to rent. Travellers who want to cover the itinerary in a premium hire vehicle should expect a cost of approximately 270 EUR. If you are interested in the premium version of the road trip, the cost of the fuel needed to cover all stages around Iowa is around 125 EUR. Drivers who are interested in top services in all aspects of their trip should expect to pay more or less 432 EUR for food and restaurants and around 594 EUR for hotels.
Our adventure will also be ideal for all camper enthusiasts, as it can be easily adjusted to their expectations. For those who are interested in this transport option, the expenses are around 675 EUR. Gasoline to tank a camper for the whole road trip will cost around 138 EUR. Tourists who are considering camper hire should expect to pay approximately 165 EUR for accommodation and around 216 EUR for expenses connected with food.
You can check all of the expenses in the Road Trip Costs section.
The period between May and October is perfect to explore the part of Iowa presented in our road trip idea. There are plenty of exciting journeys that are available on our website if Iowa Great River Road Trip has inspired you. Hopefully, the great diversity of road trips will definitely cater to the needs of the most demanding drivers.