Transportation
Interstates and Highways
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The Cedar Valley Region of Iowa is strategically connected in the upper Midwest on one of the fastest growing logistics corridors. Our central U.S. location offers easy and timely access to all markets from coast to coast, and from Canada to Mexico. Our sites offer easy congestion-free traffic options, for fast and easy outbound and inbound trucking. Reach these key metro markets within a half-a-day by truck: Chicago, Omaha, St. Louis, Minneapolis/ St. Paul, Sioux Falls, Milwaukee, Madison, and Kansas City.
Local Routes
The Avenue of the Saints, a 600-mile north-south transportation corridor, links the Cedar Valley to St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN and St. Louis, MO. The Avenue provides a four-lane connection with two of America’s most traveled transcontinental interstates, I-35 and I-80.
U.S. 20, a four-lane, federal highway connects the Region to both coasts. Spanning 3,365 miles, it is the longest road in the United States. U.S. 20 connects with I-35 approximately 50 miles to the west of the Region and is a direct route to Chicago, IL approximately 265 miles to the east.
The Region is served also by north-south corridor U.S. Highway 63 stretching south to Ruston, LA and north to Beloit, WI, U.S. 63 connects with I-90 approximately 90 minutes to the north of the Region.
U.S. 18 east-west corridor crosses through the northern part of the Region providing a direct connection into downtown Milwaukee to the east and I-35 to the west.
In addition, several state highways criss-cross the region providing connections to major U.S. transportation corridors and quick workforce commuting routes.
Proximity to U.S. Business and Population Centers
| City |
Driving Distance (miles) |
Driving Time |
| Atlanta, Georgia |
877 |
14 Hours |
| Chicago, Illinois |
245 |
4 ½ Hours |
| Dallas , Texas |
779 |
12 ½ Hours |
| Denver, Colorado |
753 |
11 Hours |
| Des Moines, Iowa |
82 |
1 ½ Hours |
| Detroit, Michigan |
552 |
9 Hours |
| Kansas City, Kansas |
275 |
4 Hours |
| Los Angeles, California |
1,767 |
25 ½ Hours |
| Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
240 |
4 Hours |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota |
157 |
3 Hours |
| New Orleans, Louisiana |
987 |
15 Hours |
| New York, New York |
1,061 |
17 Hours |
| Omaha, Nebraska |
225 |
4 Hours, |
| Seattle, Washington |
1,843 |
25 ½ Hours |
| St. Louis, Missouri |
324 |
5 ½ Hours |
Source: MapQuest
Rail Service
The Cedar Valley Region is served by the Union Pacific (UP) and Canadian National (CN) railroads. The region is also served by a shortline railroad.
Iowa Northern Railway (IANR) has extensive connectivity to the entire North American rail network and gives their customers cost competitive, timely, and efficient rail transportation through high levels of service. IANR personalizes its service to each and every shipper. They match the most efficient routes with the best rates with a very hands-on approach to customer service.
IANR operates twenty-four hours, seven days a week over their 250 miles of operation.
Iowa Northern has direct connections to the Union Pacific, Canadian National, Cedar Rapids & Iowa City, and Canadian Pacific. These connections make it possible to reach the Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Kansas City Southern, CSXT, Norfolk Southern, and Iowa Interstate.
Several rail served industrial parks are located throughout the Cedar Valley Region.
Air Service
The Waterloo Regional Airport, located in the heart of the Cedar Valley Region, is served by American Airlines with two daily flights to and from Chicago. Our airport offers easy access, fast security, and a comfortable passenger waiting area.
Airports Serving Cedar Valley Region
Regional Airports - Commercial and Private Charter Passenger and Air Freight Services
- Waterloo Regional Airport
- Eastern Iowa Airport
General Aviation – Public Use Airports
- Ackley Municipal Airport
- Allison Municipal Airport
- Grundy Center Municipal Airport
- Independence Municipal Airport
- New Hampton Municipal Airport
- Traer Municipal Airport
- Toledo Municipal Airport
- Waverly Municipal Airport
Public Transportation
The Iowa Northland Regional Transit Commission (RTC) provides open-to-the-public, accessible transit services within the Cedar Valley Region. Their primary customers are persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and Head Start children. In addition to providing transit, RTC is responsible for coordinating transportation in the region. Call 1-800-369-3022 for more information.