US-52 — Upper Iowa River Driftless Corridor
US Route 52 runs 174 miles north-south through northeast Iowa, from the Mississippi River near Sabula north to the Minnesota border near Burr Oak. The route is wholly within the Driftless Area for its northern stretch, crossing Jackson, Dubuque, Clayton, Allamakee, and Winneshiek counties. Near Decorah — where it crosses Iowa Highway 9 and the Upper Iowa River adjacent to Luther College's limestone-cliff campus — the road rises and falls hundreds of feet through river valleys and past forested bluffs. The northern segment overlaps the River Bluffs Scenic Byway and Driftless Area Scenic Byway. The loop from Decorah south via US-52 to IA-136, connecting with the Grant Wood Scenic Byway corridor, is a well-established northeast Iowa motorcycle day ride.
What you'll hit along the way.
Rider-verified stops, overlooks, fuel, and the corners worth knowing about — in the order you'll meet them.
Luxemburg
Small farming community that marks the beginning of the route through the driftless hill country.
Monona
Quiet Iowa town near the Upper Iowa River valley offering a natural midpoint rest stop.
Postville
One of the larger towns along the corridor with fuel and dining options.
Ossian
Small town set among rolling driftless terrain, a good spot to stretch before the final stretch.
Burr Oak
Historic northeastern Iowa town near the Minnesota border that serves as the natural end of this corridor route.
No runs logged on this road yet — be the first.
Runs are rider-logged & GPS-traced in the app
Ride your own ride — times are rider-logged & GPS-traced, never a race on public roads.
Shot by the riders who've run it.
Riders upload photos to their profile and tag the road or stop — tagged shots show up here automatically.