Loess Hills Scenic Byway — Part 2

E Broadway to Hamburg

Western Iowa · Iowa · United States

Key measurements

Distance

63.0 miles

Elevation gain

1,505 ft

Elevation loss

1,616 ft

High point

1,259 ft

Low point

913 ft

Net change

-109 ft (1,028 ft to 920 ft)

Surface

Paved

Route type

point-to-point

Route Overview

This 63-mile southbound route travels through the distinctive topography of southwestern Iowa, connecting Council Bluffs to the Missouri border south of Hamburg. The terrain is defined by the Loess Hills—a unique landscape of wind-deposited silt ridges and deep ravines flanking the broad, flat Missouri River valley floodplain. After clearing urban Council Bluffs via a short interstate connector, the ride transitions to a mix of rural state highways and narrow county roads that climb over ridge tops, drop into timbered hollows, and cut through agricultural bottomlands.

Key Segments & Geographic Transitions

East Pierce Street — Miles 0.1–0.4

Leaving central Council Bluffs, this short city street navigates initial residential grids and urban intersections as the route sets its southward trajectory.

Madison Avenue — Miles 0.9–2.2

A suburban arterial that carries traffic southeast out of the core, navigating light commercial zones and residential corridors toward the major highway connections on the edge of town.

Interstate 29 — Miles 4.2–16.3

A fast, straight multi-lane highway stretch running south along the flat Missouri River floodplain floor. It efficiently bypasses suburban sprawl and clears the immediate Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area before dumping off onto rural state routes.

US-275 — Miles 16.4–19.9

Exiting I-29, US-275 heads east on open two-lane pavement, rising out of the flat river plain to meet the western toe-slopes of the Loess Hills landform.

Ingrum Avenue — Miles 22.4–24.2

A short rural connector that winds past farmsteads and agricultural plots, bridging state routes over rolling topography.

US-275 — Miles 24.3–34.6

This main two-lane stretch climbs through high rolling hills, reaching the route's peak elevation near mile 25.1 (1,259 feet). The road features broad sweeps and clear sightlines across open farm country.

Plum Creek Road — Miles 35.7–38.2

A narrow, lower-tier county road that curves along the contours of the Plum Creek valley, bringing closer views of rural drainages and hillside pastures.

J18 — Miles 38.2–42.9

County Road J18 moves east-west across rural Fremont County, connecting isolated farm roads over gently undulating agricultural terrain.

L44 — Miles 43.3–60.8

The longest uninterrupted segment of the trip, County Road L44 winds through the heart of the southern Loess Hills ridge system. The road follows bluff lines and creek beds, characterized by frequent elevation shifts, blind crests, and wooded draws before dropping toward the lowlands.

US-275 to Iowa–Missouri State Line — Miles 61.0–63.0

The final two miles rejoin US-275, flattening out into the Missouri River floodplain to enter the quiet border community of Hamburg, finishing near the route's lowest elevation of 913 feet at the Iowa-Missouri state line.

Seasonal & Environmental Context

Spring and autumn bring active farming operations along county routes like L44 and J18. Expect slow-moving agricultural machinery and occasional mud or loose gravel deposited on the road surface at farm driveway entrances. Summer conditions are typically hot and humid, with lush foliage along the wooded bluff cuts. In late fall and winter, shaded ravines and north-facing bluff descents on L44 can hold frost or ice longer than the open prairie sections.

Logistics & Services

Fuel, food, and full commercial services are readily available at the start in Council Bluffs. Beyond the metro area, options become sparse; basic fuel stops are available near highway junctions, with full local services returning at the terminus in Hamburg. Given the 63-mile total distance, a full tank in Council Bluffs easily covers the trip without requiring mid-route stops.

Important Considerations

County routes L44 and Plum Creek Road feature tighter turns, narrower shoulders, and variable pavement quality compared to US-275. Deer are common in the brushy draws and timbered ridges of the Loess Hills, particularly around dawn and dusk along County Road L44.