^Southbound trailblazer where Iowa 78 splits from Iowa 1 near Brighton, October 2021.

Iowa Route 78 is an east-west highway in southeastern Iowa, running from a point northeast of Ottumwa to a point south of Wapello. Its pathing lies about halfway between Interstate 80 and Iowa's southern border with Missouri.  The eastern end is along US Route 61 just south of Wapello, and the western end merges with Iowa Route 149 near Martinsburg.  The westernmost extent of Iowa Route 78 follows a roadway that is taken over by Iowa Route 149 which comes from the north.  That roadway continues west as Iowa Route 149 to meet the southern ends of Iowa Route 21 and Iowa Route 23, before Iowa Route 149 bends south to Ottumwa.

My photo of Iowa Route 78 comes from its intersection with US Route 218, which also carries Iowa Route 27 in this southern area of Iowa.  This intersection is near the town of Olds, Iowa.  On maps, it may appear that Iowa Route 78 joins US Route 218 south for a mile before resuming its eastward journey--but don't be fooled! In reality, Iowa Route 78 bends south before reaching US Route 218 so it can pass through the town of Olds.  Then, after a single mile of southward motion, Iowa Route 78 straightens out to head east once more.  The junction home to the sign assembly shown in the photo is the four-way intersection just south of Olds, where Iowa Route 78 crosses US Route 218.  As you can see, US Route 218 also carries the Iowa Route 27 designation.  The signage is for traffic on Iowa Route 78 eastbound meeting the junction.  This photo was taken on June 30, 2017, as part of the tour around eastern Iowa.
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