^Looking north from US Route 34 in Osceola, October 2021.
In Iowa, US Route 69 runs north-south along the entire backbone of central Iowa, right alongside the path taken by Interstate 35. It's the main north-south surface route through Des Moines. US Route 69 lies just to the east of Interstate 35 in southern Iowa, but it lies just to the west of Interstate 35 in northern Iowa. US Route 69 enters Iowa south of Lamoni and promptly crosses to the eastern side of Interstate 35. It stays near Interstate 35 and just to the east through southern Iowa, passing through Leon and Osceola. South of Indianola, US Route 69 and US Route 65 join together, through Indianola to the southern edge of Des Moines. US Route 65 leaves US Route 69 to join a new freeway around the east side of town, while US Route 69 heads north through downtown Des Moines past Interstate 80. Interstate 35 is riding Interstate 80 east to a more easterly northern freeway, meaning that US Route 69 is now west of Interstate 35. US Route 69 serves as the main north-south route through Ankeny and Ames. It stays west of Clear Lake and Mason City, passing through Forest City and Lake Mills in northernmost Iowa. US Route 69 leaves Iowa for Minnesota, heading for Albert Lea, Minnesota, where it will come to an end.
My photo US Route 69 comes from US Route 18, where US Route 69 comes from the south to join alongside US Route 18 westward. It's a short concurrency between the two routes, in the town of Garner, west of Clear Lake, Iowa. This photo shows east-facing signage showing westbound traffic on US Route 18 what's happening. This photo was taken in September 2019, as I was driving across northern Iowa.
Here are some more photos of things found along US Route 69 in Iowa:
Here are some more photos of things found along US Route 69 in Iowa:
US Route 69 approaches Iowa 2 from the north and joins it westward for a short bit in Leon.
US Route 69 crosses US Route 34 in Osceola. Northbound travelers there will see this guide marker assembly.
US Route 69 heads north through a concurrency with Iowa 9, which had joined from the east earlier. This sign assembly helps northbound travelers locate the north end of this concurrency, pointing out the left turn required to stay on Iowa 9 westbound.
In Lake Mills, US Route 69 turns back toward the north to conclude a jog toward the east. Continuing east will place a driver on former Iowa Highway 105, which leads to Northwood and an interchange with Interstate 35. A left turn to stay on US Route 69 will soon put drivers across the Minnesota border.