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HomeRoad TripsNorth AmericaUnited StatesNorth USAIowaLoess Hills
Iowa

Loess Hills Road Trip

Hamburg - Omaha - Pisgah - Sioux City - Akron

Expect on your itinerary

Security Security
Landscape Landscape
Comfort Comfort
Road conditions Road conditions
Benefit-stress ratio Benefit-stress ratio
Urban life Urban life
Culture Culture
Historical sites Historical sites
Loess Hills Road Trip ACTIVATE MAP Stages4 km357 h/stage1.2

Best months to drive

I II III IV V VI
VII VIII IX X XI XII

Road Trip Costs

How much does it cost to go on a Loess Hills Road Trip in Iowa?

Economy
Low budget options by car rental, accommodation and catering. In- and Out-bound travel expenses are not included.
rent & more 90EUR drive & more 50EUR sleep & more 154EUR eat & more 144EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) 348EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) incl. rented car 438EUR
Standard
Mid budget options by car rental, accommodation and catering. In- and Out-bound travel expenses are not included.
rent & more 108EUR drive & more 63EUR sleep & more 242EUR eat & more 216EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) 521EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) incl. rented car 629EUR
Premium
High budget options by car rental, accommodation and catering. In- and Out-bound travel expenses are not included.
rent & more 180EUR drive & more 88EUR sleep & more 396EUR eat & more 288EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) 772EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) incl. rented car 952EUR
Camper
On the road in RV, overnight at camp grounds with self-catering. In- and Out-bound travel expenses are not included.
rent & more 450EUR drive & more 100EUR sleep & more 110EUR eat & more 144EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) 354EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) incl. rented car 804EUR
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Loess Hills Road Trip Itinerary

The Loess Hills Road Trip is a 357km journey through the stunning landscape of the Midwest United States. Starting in Hamburg and ending in Akron, the road trip takes you through Omaha, Pisgah, and Sioux City. Omaha offers a lively atmosphere with plenty of attractions to explore, including the Omaha Old Market and the Henry Doorly Zoo. Pisgah is a charming small town with plenty of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and fishing. Finally, Sioux City boasts a vibrant culture, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and galleries to explore. The best time to take this road trip is during the summer months, when the weather is at its warmest. The roads are in good condition throughout the trip, making it suitable for all types of drivers. With moderate budgeting, this road trip can be completed in two days.
number of days 2 number of days
route length 357 km route length
budget fair budget
good for family good for
traffic direction on the right traffic direction
accident level low accident level

START Hamburg

Distance 357 km Driving time 4.7 h Pace: fast 107.1 kWh Airports OMA , LNK
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Hamburg, Iowa is a great place to get the Loess Hills Road Trip started. Located in the state’s southwest corner, Hamburg is the closest town to the Loess Hills Scenic Byway. It’s a great place to explore the natural beauty of the hills, but also has its own unique attractions. The most popular destination in Hamburg is the historic Hamburg Inn. It was founded in the late 19th century, and is now a great spot to enjoy a meal and a drink. The inn also has a museum featuring artifacts from the town’s past. There are also plenty of places to stay in town, from hotels to bed and breakfasts. The town is also home to the Hamburg Historical Society, which offers tours of the town and its attractions. Visitors can learn about the town’s history, and see some of the original buildings, such as the old post office and the old blacksmith shop. For those traveling by air, the closest international airport is the Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA). There are car rental services available at the airport, so visitors can easily get to Hamburg and begin their Loess Hills Road Trip. No matter what visitors are looking for, Hamburg is a great place to start the Loess Hills Road Trip. With its natural beauty, historic attractions, and friendly people, it’s sure to be a memorable experience.

1 Hamburg - Omaha

Distance 113 km Driving time 1.5 h Pace: fast 34.0 kWh View map Itinerary
accommodation options junction of road trips
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Embark on a road trip from Hamburg to Omaha, a journey of 70 miles that will take you less than two hours. This is one of the stages of a larger tour, so let’s explore the most interesting places along the way! Start your journey in Hamburg, where you can visit the historic museum or take a stroll through the local park. Then, drive to Omaha, where you can explore the beautiful botanical gardens or the art museum. For a great outdoor experience, you can stop by the Platte River State Park, where you can take a hike or a picnic. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, you can go fishing or kayaking. To get the most out of your road trip, you can also visit the Omaha Zoo or take a tour of the city. For a unique experience, you can visit the Omaha Children’s Museum or the Omaha Public Library. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. Start your Hamburg to Omaha road trip today and experience all the wonders that this journey has to offer!

2 Omaha - Pisgah

Distance 80 km Driving time 1.1 h Pace: fast 24.0 kWh View map Itinerary
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Are you ready for an exciting road trip from Omaha to Pisgah? This 50mi journey will take you fewer than 2 hours, so you can make the most of the attractions along the way. Start your journey in Omaha, a vibrant city known for its diverse cultural attractions, parks, and entertainment. Don't miss the Henry Doorly Zoo, the Omaha Children's Museum, and the Lauritzen Gardens. As you drive to Pisgah, make sure to stop in Council Bluffs. Here you can explore the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, the Historic General Dodge House, and the RailsWest Railroad Museum. Finally, you will arrive in Pisgah, a small town located in Southwest Iowa. Take a stroll around the downtown area and visit the Pisgah Historical Museum, the Pisgah State Park, and the Pisgah Wildlife Area. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Have a great trip!

3 Pisgah - Sioux City

Distance 117 km Driving time 1.5 h Pace: fast 35.1 kWh View map Itinerary
junction of road trips accommodation options
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Welcome to the Pisgah-Sioux City road trip! This beautiful 73 mile journey will take you less than two hours to complete. Start your trip in Pisgah and make sure to visit the Pisgah National Forest, a 500,000 acre forest with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. Hike, bike, camp, fish, and explore the forest’s many trails and rivers. Next, make your way to Sioux City and explore the Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center. Learn about the history of the area and take in the stunning views of the Missouri River. Don't forget to visit the Sioux City Public Museum to explore the area's past and culture. Finally, end your trip with a visit to the Sergeant Floyd Monument, a tribute to the explorer, who died in the area in 1804. This is just one stage of a larger tour, and more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your road trip!

4 Sioux City - Akron

Distance 47 km Driving time 0.6 h Pace: fast 14.0 kWh View map Itinerary
junction of road trips accommodation options
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Are you ready for an amazing road trip from Sioux City to Akron? This 29mi journey will take you less than an hour, so you can explore some of the most interesting places in between. In Sioux City, you can visit the historic Sergeant Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center, or explore the stunning Sioux City Art Center. As you make your way to Akron, you can take a break at the Akron Municipal Airport, and take in the stunning views of the surrounding area. Once you arrive in Akron, you can take a stroll around the Akron Zoo and visit the Akron Fossil & Science Center. This is just one of the many stages of your road trip, and more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, and get ready for an amazing journey!

  Akron

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The city of Akron, located in the state of Ohio, is the perfect end-point to the Loess Hills Road Trip. It's a vibrant city with plenty of attractions and activities to keep you entertained. For those traveling by car, Akron's downtown area is the perfect place to start your exploration. Visit the Akron Art Museum for a unique mix of modern and contemporary art, or explore the John S. Knight Center for a variety of concerts and conventions. The Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is also a must-see; the Tudor mansion and gardens offer a unique glimpse into Akron's past. For those looking for a bit of outdoor adventure, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a must-see. The park is home to thousands of acres of woodlands and wetlands, as well as miles of hiking and biking trails. Whether you're looking for a scenic stroll or a challenging climb, the park offers something for everyone. For those looking to take their exploration a bit further, head south to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The railroad offers a variety of rides throughout the park, including a guided tour of the Ohio and Erie Canal. Finally, for those traveling by air, Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) is the closest international airport. At the end of the Loess Hills Road Trip, Akron, Ohio is the perfect destination to enjoy a vibrant city with plenty of attractions and activities to explore.

Loess Hills Road Trip at a glance

Hopefully, our journey idea gave you plenty of inspirations 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 interesting tourist attractions.
If car travel is a travel mode that you prefer, there are a number of essential traffic regulations to follow and a list of things to bear in mind to turn your road trip into pleasure. These tips will surely become useful for tourists who opt for renting a vehicle or camper hire.
It is important to obey the local traffic regulations when on a road trip around Iowa. In Iowa, if you are planning to drive, try to stay away from spirits at any cost. Drivers ought to remember that the legal alcohol limit is rather low and equals only 0.5‰. The speed limit when travelling around the the city streets is 40km/h. When it comes to non-build-up areas, you should bear in mind that the maximum allowed speed is 72km/h. Remember that the maximum car speed is 129km/h on motorways in Iowa. Driving with your headlights on at daytime and equipping your vehicle with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher heavily increase the safety.
One of the decisive factors when scheduling an itinerary is costs. Of course, depending on the needs of the holidaymakers, the cost may differ. A wide range of budget configurations is showed below.
We estimate that the budget option when it comes to fuel to cover the planned 5 stages while travelling around Iowa may be roughly 50 EUR. Holidaymakers will have to spend the average of up to 154 EUR on budget overnight stays. The travel expenses related to restaurants and food within this option may cost up to about 144 EUR. Travellers will have to pay approximately 90 EUR if they choose the budget car rental option as well. Thus, the estimated travel expenses amount to roughly 348 EUR without car rental and 438 EUR with car rental.
Holidayers who seek greater comfort and the standard option should be prepared to pay the maximum of 63 EUR for the gasoline needed to cover the trip. If you are into standard accommodation options, expect that the expenses may amount up to more or less 242 EUR. Holidayers may expect that the standard option in terms of food and restaurants will cost around 216 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the trip in a standard rental car can expect a cost of around 108 EUR. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay roughly 629 EUR for the whole itinerary, whereas those who are not interested in vehicle rental will spend approximately 521 EUR.
Travellers who are into the highest level of comfort will be pleased with the premium option. When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total roughly 952 EUR for holidaymakers who are considering vehicle rental and 521 EUR for those who do not want to rent. Travellers who would like to cover the itinerary in a premium rental vehicle should expect a cost of approximately 180 EUR. If you are interested in the highest standard of the adventure, you need to spend the maximum of 88 EUR on the gasoline needed to cover the tour. Travellers who would like to go for top services in all aspects of their trip should expect to pay about 396 EUR for accommodation options and around 288 EUR for food and restaurants.
Our tour can be easily adjusted to the expectations of all camper enthusiasts. If you choose this travel option, you should expect the costs of more or less 450 EUR. Holidayers will spend roughly 100 EUR on fuel allowing to cover all stages of the Loess Hills Road Trip. Holidayers who would like to go for camper rental should expect to pay around 110 EUR for accommodation and roughly 144 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The section Road Trip Costs shows all the mentioned details in a straightforward manner.
The period between May and October is superb to explore the part of Iowa showed in our itinerary idea. There are multiple exciting adventures that are available on our website if you’d like to see other of our road trip ideas. The wide spectrum of options will surely cater to the needs of the most demanding tourists.

Facts for safer driving in Iowa

drink drive limit drink drive limit 0.5
max speed urban max speed urban 40 km/h
max speed rural max speed rural 72 km/h
max speed highway max speed highway 129 km/h
headlights at daytime headlights at daytime off
fire extinguisher fire extinguisher yes
tolls tolls yes
seat belts seat belts yes

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