Interstate 380 Iowa

Interstate 380 Iowa

Overview

Interstate 380 forms a long freeway spur leading northwest from I-80 as part of the multi-state Avenue of the Saints corridor (Iowa 27). I-380 joins the cities of Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City in east central Iowa. Coupled with U.S. 218/Iowa 27, the interstate forms a seamless expressway route south to Mount Pleasant, the Keukuk area and ultimately St. Louis, Missouri.

Construction from 2017 to 2024 replaces the cloverleaf joining Interstate 80 with U.S. 218/Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints) on the western outskirts of Iowa City into a systems interchange. Interstate 380 begins there, with the three routes leading north by the growing suburb of North Liberty to cross Coralville Lake (Iowa River). A rural stretch ensues northward to the Linn County line, where industrial parks appear through the south side of Cedar Rapids.

Interstate 380 and Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints) parts ways with U.S. 218 at the freeway along U.S. 30/151 running across the south side of Cedar Rapids. Continuing north, I-380/Iowa 27 become more urban onto the viaduct leading to the Cedar River. This stretch of freeway navigates through an S-curve as it spans the river east to run between Downtown and the Quaker Oats factory. Speed limits on this section are set at 55 miles per hour, with automated enforcement by the city of Cedar Rapids via speed cameras positioned to the south near 3rd Avenue SW and to the north near H Avenue. Four sets of cameras were installed in 2010. IowaDOT ruled that two of the assemblies must be disabled or removed in March 2015, stating that there was no safety rationale for their use.1 They remained in operation as of March 2016 due to an ongoing appeal filed by the city. An updated ordnance was filed by the city in 2019, and the automated traffic enforcement (ATE) continues operating today. The threshold for receiving a citation is 12 miles over the posted limit of 55 MPH.2

Advancing north from central Cedar Rapids, I-380/Iowa 27 remains a busy route to the city of Hiawatha. The freeway eventually leaves suburban areas beyond Robins and becomes rural to Center Point, a bedroom community in northern Linn County. I-380 continues through rural areas of Benton and Buchanan Counties.

Interstate 380 and Iowa 27 combine with the freeway along U.S. 20 east of Raymond and Evansdale as they enter the Waterloo area. The three routes overlap for six miles to a separation just west of the Cedar River. Iowa 27 and the Avenue of the Saints corridor remain west along U.S. 20 to Iowa 58 as it bypasses central Waterloo while U.S. 218 rejoins Interstate 380 along a two mile long spur into the city. I-380 concludes at the at-grade intersection of U.S. 218 (Washington Street) and Mitchell Avenue.

U.S. 218 extends northward from the I-380 terminus along a divided boulevard to a separate freeway linking Downtown with Cedar Falls and the Avenue of the Saints corridor to the northwest. There are no plans to join these two sections of highway presently, though ample right of way exists between Hawthorne Avenue and the freeway beginning at 6th Street.

I-80/I-380 Systems Interchange Project

Started in July 2017, construction replaced the cloverleaf joining I-80/380 at Coralville with a turbine interchange. Work through December 2023 also expanded I-80 to eight lanes west to Ireland Avenue and to ten lanes east to Coral Ridge Avenue. Expansion along I-380 widened the freeway northward through the interchange with Forevergreen Road to six overall lanes.

The exchange with Forevergreen Road opened to traffic by November 4, 2019. This included Forevergreen Road east from I-380/U.S. 218 to Coral Ridge Avenue. The realignment of Kansas Avenue SW was completed in June 2019.

Construction in 2020 focused on building the new flyover from I-80 east to I-380/U.S. 218 north and the ramp to U.S. 218 south. The final ramps completed were the flyovers from U.S. 218 north to I-80 west and from I-80 west to U.S. 218 south. These ramps opened at the end of August 2023.

Punch list work on the Systems Interchange Project extending into early 2024 includes work on barriers and erosion control.

I-80/380 Turbine Interchange
I-80 east at I-380 - Coralville, IA

Construction of the flyover that joins I-80 eastbound with I-380/U.S. 218 north to Cedar Rapids. Photo by Peter Johnson (06/21/20).

Route Information

  • North End – Waterloo, IA

  • South End – Coralville, IA

  • Mileage – 73.05

  • Cities – Coralville, North Liberty, Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Robins, Center Point, Urbana, Evansdale, Waterloo

  • Junctions – I-80

Source: December 31, 2021 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

I-380 Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)

Source: 2017 Iowa Traffic Data – IOWADOT interactive statewide traffic map

Northeastern Iowa - 1970
Interstate 380 first appeared on the Iowa Official Highway Map in 1970

The alignment of Interstate 380 between Cedar Rapids and U.S. 20 near Raymond was contested by area farmers, leading to litigation based delays until 1979.4

Waterloo, IA - 1981
Waterloo Inset – 1981 Iowa Official Highway Map

The 1981 map showed the full build out planned for Interstate 380 through Waterloo. The alignment along Washington Street was dropped officially in 1981, with the section north from Downtown assigned as U.S. 218 when it opened in 1992.2

History

The I-380 designation was initially applied by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) to the Des Moines urban loop along side Interstate 235. The I-380 overlap was removed by AASHO on November 10, 1958.3

Interstate 380 was established by AASHTO from I-80 north to Waterloo via Cedar Rapids on June 23, 1969. It appears the number 380 was selected instead of 180 to offset duplication with Iowa 180, a former state route linking Hayesville with Iowa 149 in Keokuk County.

The freeway opened in stages, starting in 1973 and finishing 1985. The following list provides the opening dates for the freeway:4

  • Interstate 80 north to Exit 13 (CR E70) in Cedar Rapids: September 19, 1973
  • Exit 13 to U.S. 30-151-218 (Lincoln Freeway): June 25, 1976
  • U.S. 30-151-218 Lincoln Freeway to 5th Avenue SW: December 15, 1976
  • 5th Avenue SW to 8th Street NE: June 11, 1979
  • 8th Street NW to Glass Road: December 4, 1981
  • Glass Road to Boyson Road: November 17, 19825
  • Hiawatha to Iowa 150 near Urbana: August 14, 19845
  • Iowa 150 to U.S. 20: September 12, 19855
  • U.S. 20 to Mitchell Avenue: August 9, 19845

 Photo Guides

North End US 218 / Mitchell Avenue – Waterloo, Iowa

US 218 North at I-380 US 20 Iowa 27

US 218 north at I-380/US 20/Iowa 27 - Waterloo

Northbound U.S. 218 transitions directly onto I-380 at the cloverstack interchange with U.S. 20/Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints). Exit numbers correspond with Interstate 380. Photo by Jeff Morrison (07/25/07).

I-380 US 218 North

I-380/US 218 north at San Marnan Dr - Waterloo, IA

The last exit along Interstate 380 north is with San Marnan Drive by Crossroads Mall in Waterloo. Photo by Peter Johnson (05/02/20).

I-380 ends a half mile north of the San Marnan Dr in Waterloo, IA

A pair of Interstate 380 ends signs stand at the San Marnan Drive underpass in Waterloo. These signs were among the first in Iowa to use Clearview font, which was used by IowaDOT starting in 2006. 12/29/23

I-380/US 218 north ahead of Mitchell Av and Leo P Roof Expwy

U.S. 218 transitions onto Leo P. Roof Expressway, an at-grade boulevard extending north from the signalized intersection with Mitchell Avenue. 12/29/23

I-380 north ends where U.S. 218 continues onto Leo P Roof Expressway

U.S. 218 advances north along Leo P. Roof Expressway (Washington Street) through another three traffic lights before it upgrades back into a freeway beyond W 9th Street. 12/29/23

I-380 US 218 South

U.S. 218 south becomes I-380 at Mitchell Ave in Waterloo, Iowa

U.S. 218 transitions form Washington Street into Interstate 380 south beyond Mitchell Avenue. 12/29/23

I-380 commences south ahead of San Marnan Dr in Waterloo, Iowa

A diamond interchange (Exit 72) connects I-380/U.S. 218 with San Marnan Avenue just south of Mitchell Avenue. 12/29/23

I-380/U.S. 218 south at Exit 72 for San Marnan Dr in Waterloo, IA

Exit 72 departs for San Marnan Drive and Crossroads Mall one mile north from where I-380/U.S. 218 separate at U.S. 20. 12/29/23

I-380/US 218 south at San Marnan Dr - 2001

Previous guide signs along I-380/U.S. 218 south at San Marnan Drive. Replacements added Iowa 27 for the Avenue of the Saints corridor, which bypasses Waterloo via Iowa 58 and U.S. 20. Photo by Jason Hancock (03/01).

I-380/US 218 south at US 20/Iowa 27 - Waterloo

A single lane flyover carries the Interstate 380 southbound mainline onto U.S. 20 east / Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints) south for a 5.7 mile overlap. Photo by Peter Johnson (05/02/20).

San Marnan Dr – East at I-380 US 218

San Marnan Dr east at I-380/US 218 - Waterloo, IA

San Marnan Drive constitutes a commercial arterial east parallel to U.S. 20 and north to Crossroads Mall and I-380/U.S. 218. I-380 ends 0.6 miles to the north but is not acknowledged on San Marnan Drive. Photo by Jeff Morrison (07/25/07).

US 20 East Iowa 27 South at I-380 US 218

US 20/Iowa 27 east at I-380/US 218 - Waterloo, IA

Approaching Exits 232A/B with I-380/U.S. 218 north to Downtown and U.S. 218 south to La Porte City, U.S. 20 comprises a full freeway east from Webster City to Waterloo and Manchester. Photo by Jeff Morrison (07/25/07).

US 20/Iowa 27 east at I-380/US 218 - Waterloo, IA

Exit 232A separates from U.S. 20 east at the Hess Road underpass. Signs for I-380 north and U.S. 218 were replaced here by 2012. Photo by Jeff Morrison (11/20/06).

South End I-80 US 218 Iowa 27 – Coralville, Iowa

I-380 US 218 Iowa 27 South at I-80

I-380/U.S. 218 south one mile ahead of I-80 at Tiffin, IA

The I-80/I-380 Systems Interchange Project expanded I-380/U.S. 218 to eight overall lanes between the exchange built at Forevergreen Road and Exit 0. 12/29/23

Two lanes separate from I-380/U.S. 218 south for I-80 at Tiffin, Iowa

I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints) cross U.S. 6 south ahead of the turbine interchange (Exit 0) with Interstate 380. 12/29/23

I-380/U.S. 218/Iowa 27 south at the systems interchange with I-80

I-380/U.S. 218/Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints) run south between the Coralville and Tiffin city limits to the turbine interchange (Exit 0) with Interstate 80. 12/29/23

Exit 0 partitions from the south end of I-380 for I-80 across Iowa

Exit 0 separates with two lanes for I-80 east to Coralville and the Quad Cities and a single lane for I-80 west to Des Moines and Council Bluffs. 12/29/23

Interstate 380 south end sign

An end sign for Interstate 380 appears along U.S. 218/Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints) south midway through the multi level interchange (Exit 0) with I-80. 12/29/23

US 218 Iowa 27 North at I-80 I-380

U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north two miles ahead of I-80/380 in Iowa City

U.S. 218/Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints) leaves built up areas of University Heights and Iowa City by a quarry on the two mile rural stretch preceding I-80/380. 12/29/23

Exit 96 departs from U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north for I-80 in 0.75 miles

Interstate 80 constitutes a busy trucking corridor between Des Moines and the Quad Cities across Iowa. The Capital City lies 101 miles to the west. 12/29/23

U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north at I-80 and the beginning of I-380

Interstate 380 north begins where Exit 96 departs from U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north for both directions of I-80. 12/29/23

Ramps to I-80 separate from U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north adjacent to I-380

Interstate 80 east expands to six and eight lanes across the Coralville and Iowa City metropolitan area with four local interchanges. 12/29/23

I-80 East at I-380 US 218 Iowa 27

I-80 east three miles from I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints)

I-80 straddles northern reaches of Sand Hill preceding a rest area and Exit 237 to Tiffin. The exchange with I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints) follows. Photo by Peter Johnson (06/21/20).

I-80 east a quarter mile from Exit 239 for I-380 north and U.S. 218

I-80 proceeds less than a mile east from Ireland Avenue in Tiffin to Exit 239 for I-380 north, U.S. 218 and Iowa 27. 12/29/23

I-80 east at Exit 239 for I-380/U.S. 218 at Tiffin, Iowa

I-380 doubles as a commuter route between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, with 2014 IowaDOT traffic counts topping out at 55,600 vehicles per day at the Linn County line. 12/29/23

S Park Rd spans I-80 east at Exit 239 for I-380 north and U.S. 218

Construction of the systems interchange at Exit 239 consolidated separate ramps for I-380/U.S. 218 into single departure points. 12/29/23

Exit 239 separates for I-380/U.S. 218 north to Cedar Rapids

U.S. 218 is a rare even-numbered north-south U.S. route. Others include U.S. 550 in Colorado and U.S. 220 between North Carolina and New York. Prior to its renumbering as U.S. 491 on July 1, 2003, U.S. 666 in Colorado and New Mexico was another fitting this criteria. 12/29/23

Exit 239 separates for U.S. 218 south to Mount Pleasant, Iowa

Iowa 27 was designated in 2001 to provide a single route number for the Avenue of the Saints corridor. Iowa 27 overlaps with several other routes across the Hawkeye State, with the exception of the southernmost 18 miles from U.S. 218 to the Missouri line. 12/29/23

I-80 West at I-380 US 218 Iowa 27

I-80 west meets I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 1.25 miles west of Coral Ridge Ave

I-80 advances 1.25 miles west from a six-ramp parclo interchange (Exit 240) with Coral Ridge Avenue (old U.S. 218/Iowa 965) to I-380/U.S. 218/Iowa 27. 12/29/23

I-80 west spans U.S. 6 a half mile from Exit 239 to I-380/U.S. 218

U.S. 6 angles across Interstate 80 west a half mile from the systems interchange with I-380 north, U.S. 218 and Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints). 12/29/23

I-80 west at Exit 239 to I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 at Coralville, IA

Two lanes separate from Interstate 80 west at Exit 239 for both directions of U.S. 218/Iowa 27 and I-380 north to Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. 12/29/23

Exit 239 partitions for I-380/U.S. 218 north and U.S. 218 south

The Avenue of the Saints constitutes a freeway south to Iowa 22 in northern Washington County. The corridor extends north from I-380 at Waterloo to Mason City and Minneapolis-St. Paul. 12/29/23

I-380 South End Throwback

I-380 US 218 Iowa 27 South at I-80

I-380/U.S. 218 south at Forevergreen Rd, two miles from I-80.

The diamond interchange joining I-380 with Forevergreen Road was constructed where the two mile sign for I-80 previously stood. 04/12/13

I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 south one mile from I-80 between Tiffin and Coralville

I-380 remained with just four lanes south between Tiffin and Coralville to the cloverleaf interchange (Exits 0 B/A) with Interstate 80. 03/30/16

I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 south cross U.S. 6 ahead of Exit 0 for I-80

Exit 0 B connected I-380/U.S. 218 south with Interstate 80 west to Des Moines and Omaha, Nebraska. 03/30/16

The south end of Interstate 380 at Coraville and Tiffin, IA in 2016

Exit 0 A linked with I-80 east through Coralville and Iowa City. U.S. 218/Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints) continue south to Mt. Pleasant and Donnellson. 03/30/16

I-80 East at I-380 US 218 Iowa 27

I-80 east at Ireland Ave in Tiffin, IA, one mile from I-380/U.S. 218

I-80 continued one mile east from the exchange with Ireland Avenue at Tiffin to I-380/U.S. 218. Photo by Peter Johnson (06/21/20).

I-80 east at former Exit 239 A for U.S. 218/Iowa 27 south to Iowa City

I-80 continued one mile east from the exchange with Ireland Avenue at Tiffin to I-380/U.S. 218. Photo by Peter Johnson (06/21/20).

I-80 east at old Exit 239 B for I-380/U.S. 218 north to Cedar Rapids, IA

Construction in 2020 replaced the loop ramp (Exit 239 B) for I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 north with a high speed flyover. Photo by Peter Johnson (06/21/20).

I-80 east at I-380/US 218/Iowa 27 - 2000

Interstate 80 east at I-380 prior to the designation of Iowa 27 for the Avenue of the Saints. Photo by Jason Hancock (02/00).
Another change in this set of signs was the removal of Iowa 965 for the pre-freeway alignment of U.S. 218 along Coral Ridge Avenue between U.S. 6 and North Liberty to the east.

I-80 east at I-380/US 218/Iowa 27 - 2006

The signs for Exits 239B and 240 were amended to show Iowa 27 north along I-380 and omit Iowa 965, which was decommissioned July 1, 2001, for the adjacent interchange by Coral Ridge Mall. Photo by Jason Hancock (01/06).
U.S. 218 bypassed Iowa City in 1985 when it shifted to I-380 and the new freeway south from I-80.

I-80 West at I-380 US 218 Iowa 27

I-80 west 1.25 miles ahead of I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 in 2013

A greenout on the initial guide sign for I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 on I-80 west covered two miles. 04/13/13

I-80 west one mile from I-380 north and U.S. 218 in 2013

Interstate 80 west expanded with an auxiliary lane to Exit 239 B for I-380 north. These signs were originally installed in November 2003. According to Jeff Morrison, for approximately 24 hours, the right sign displayed “Cedar Radids” instead of Cedar Rapids. 04/13/13

I-80 west at old Exit 239 B for I-380/U.S. 218 and Iowa 27 north

Interstate 80 west crossed Clear Creek ahead of Exit 239 B for I-380-U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north to Cedar Rapids. 04/13/13

I-80 west at former Exit 239 A to U.S. 218/Iowa 27 south

A loop ramp (Exit 239 A) connected westbound Interstate 80 with U.S. 218/Iowa 27 south to Mount Pleasant. 04/13/13

I-80 west at I-380 - 1976

Interstate 380 north from I-80 predated the U.S. 218 freeway south past University Heights by 12 years. This view looks at the lone ramp departing westbound for I-380 north to U.S. 30 in Cedar Rapids. Photo by Michael Summa (1976).

US 218 Iowa 27 North at I-80 I-380

U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north one mile ahead of I-80/380 in 2016

The exchange joining U.S. 218/Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints with I-80/380 is unnumbered in the northbound direction. 03/25/16

Removed guide sign for I-80 east on U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north.

One quarter mile ahead of I-80 east to Davenport, Bettendorf and Chicago, Illinois. 03/25/16

U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north at the previous cloverleaf interchange with I-80/380

I-80 travels 50.3 miles from I-380 and U.S. 218/Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints) to the split with Interstate 280 in Davenport. 03/25/16

I-380/U.S. 218 north at I-80 west in 2007

Travelers bound for Des Moines and Omaha looped away from U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north for I-80 west. Photo by Jeff Morrison (03/12/07).

Sources:

  1. “How one city in Iowa caught 160,000 speeders in less than two years.” Star Tribune (Cedar Rapids, IA), May 13, 2015.
  2. “Speed cameras still operating in Cedar Rapids.” KWWL (Cedar Rapids, IA), March 2 2016.
  3. Stephen Summers’s Interstate system route numbering page.
  4. “Iowa Completion Status of Interstate System as of January 1, 1982.” Iowa Department of Transportation.
  5. I-380 Iowa Highways Page.

Page updated January 28, 2024.