Iowa 163 originates in Des Moines along University Avenue at U.S. 69 (E 14th Street), north of the Iowa State Capitol. An arterial route, Iowa 163 travels east to Pleasant Hill and the U.S. 65 freeway bypass, where it upgrades into an expressway. Heading southeast from Polk County, the Iowa 163 expressway bypasses Prairie City, Monroe and Pella with occasional limited access sections.
Turning south at Oskaloosa, U.S. 63 combines with Iowa 163. The two routes overlap to Eddyville and Ottumwa along a freeway bypass. Where U.S. 63 branches south to Bloomfield, U.S. 34 ties in from south Ottumwa.
U.S. 34 and Iowa 163 run concurrent along a varying freeway and expressway to Fairfield. The two routes briefly overlap with U.S. 218/Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints) while encircling the city of Mount Pleasant. East from there U.S. 34/Iowa 163 continue to New London, West Burlington and across Burlington to the Great River Bridge spanning the Mississippi River.
Iowa 163 Guides
Iowa 163 was extended southeast along both U.S. 63 and U.S. 34 in October 2009. The overlap was created to provide a continuous route number for the expressway corridor joining Des Moines with Burlington.1
Connect with:
U.S. 34
U.S. 61
U.S. 63
U.S. 65
U.S. 218
Highway 92
Highway 137
Highway 149
Page Updated 12-14-2019.