Transportation in Iowa

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With its location in "middle America," Iowa enjoys convenient transportation access to all parts of the United States -- and the world.

The state has more than 100 public airports, with the largest located at Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. Des Moines International Airport is served by more than a dozen major and regional airlines.

America's most traveled interstate highways -- Interstates 80 and 35 -- cross the state, intersecting at Des Moines. I-380 links Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Waterloo, and I-29 serves as a direct route to Kansas City and the Dakotas.

Iowa is served by four major railroads, the largest of which are Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and by Amtrak. The Mississippi River on the east and the Mississippi River on the west are navigable waterways for barge traffic both upstream and to the Gulf of Mexico.

The excellent air, rail and highway connections provides an easy flow of products and services to and from all major markets.

Related Resources

Photo Credit: Iowa Division of Tourism.