The 6 Most Terrifying Drives You Can Possibly Take In Iowa
By Raymond Goldfield|Published May 12, 2023
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Raymond Goldfield
Author
Raymond Goldfield is a life-long New Jersey resident and an avid traveler and foodie who can be usually found on the Jersey Shore during the offseason or checking out the latest seasonal flavors at The Bent Spoon in Princeton. He has been working for Only In Your State for since early 2022, where he writes for New Jersey and Iowa and edits the Mid-Atlantic region. He can also be found writing about pop culture for GeekDad. When at home, he enjoys reading comic books and is part of The Rabbitt Stew podcast team. While New Jersey is his home base, he travels regularly and has visited Virginia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, and Canada as well as all of NJ's border states. Ultimate travel goal? Visit all the best buffets in the United States.
When most people think about driving in Iowa, they probably think of miles and miles of open road – beautiful prairie landscape, charming roadside cafes, and rustic farmstands. There are many peaceful Iowa roads you can go down, but not all Iowa drives are created equal. These six roads are considered the scariest drives in Iowa, and they range from an infamous haunted road, to some of the busiest and most challenging highways and intersections in the entire state. You might even find a surprisingly exciting attraction in them, for those who don’t mind some white-knuckle driving! One thing is for sure – these roads aren’t for rookie drivers, and you should keep your wits about you when taking any of them on!
The most infamous haunted road in Iowa, this rural Burlington byway is located in farm country - but keep an eye out for one towering cliff. According to legend, this is where a heartbroken bride leapt to her end after a tragic misunderstanding. Stories abound about seeing her spirit and how best to summon her - but many drivers would no doubt be happier to keep their eyes on the road and keep on driving.
Not all the most terrifying drives in Iowa are to be avoided! This Burlington attraction is like a roller coaster in your car, as you head down one of the twistiest roads in the world. It's an experience every driver should take at least once - if you can handle the constant motion.
A standard city intersection, this one has the unwanted distinction of being the most dangerous intersection in Iowa, according to crash studies. The culprit is heavy traffic and a fast-increasing city population, so keep your wits about you when driving in this fast-growing city!
It's an interstate, so it's no surprise chaos will ensue, but Interstate 80 tests the nerves of even the hardiest driver. Expect multiple lanes of heavy traffic, so the sight of the world's biggest truck stop will be a very welcome one.
One of Iowa's most famous haunted locations, this heavily graffitied Lake City bridge is known for a legend of a chocolate-loving ghost. If you're driving by at midnight, leave a candy bar out and see what happens...
Known as the "loneliest road in Iowa," Iowa Highway 4 has a unique charm during the day. You'll wind through small towns and beautiful architecture. At night, though, it's a whole other world. The entire area can feel completely deserted, and it feels like a long way to the nearest town...
Have you taken any of these six drives in the past? Let us know about your experience, and tell us if we missed any of the scariest drives in Iowa in the comments section! You can find out more about Snake Alley on the official Burlington website. While you’re on Iowa’s busiest highway, make sure to drop in on the world’s largest truck stop.
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