U.S. Route 218
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 218 is an original United States Highway, created in 1926. Although technically a spur of U.S. Route 18
, US 218 neither begins nor ends at US 18, but overlaps US 18 for 8 miles (12.9 km) near Charles City, Iowa
. US 218 begins at U.S. Route 136
in downtown Keokuk
and ends 319 miles (513.4 km) away at Interstate 35 and U.S. Route 14
at Owatonna, Minnesota
. A large portion of US 218 in Iowa is part of the Avenue of the Saints
, which connects St. Louis, Missouri
, and St. Paul, Minnesota.
between Floyd
and Cedar Falls
, and again between Cedar Rapids and a point south of Donnellson
. North of Mount Pleasant
, the parts of US 218 that follow the Avenue have been completely upgraded to four lanes, with either at-grade intersections or controlled access. When 218 is part of the Avenue of the Saints, it is co-signed with Iowa Highway 27.
, in Mower County
. It follows along the east side of the Iowa, Chicago, and Eastern Railroad line as it continues northward through farm fields. Southeast of Austin
, U.S. 218 angles northeastward to bypass the city, its former route following County Road 45 into town.
U.S. 218 passes by the Austin Municipal Airport just before its interchange with Interstate 90
. The highway runs concurrent with I-90 for nearly three miles through northern Austin. When U.S. 218 departs from the interstate and turns back north, it becomes a four-lane divided highway for a short time. After its junction with State Highway 251
, the highway angles north-northwestward again following the IC&E rail line, this time on the west side of the tracks.
The highway enters Dodge County
for less than a mile, then reaches Steele County
, Blooming Prairie
, and an 8-block-long concurrency with State Highway 30
. It continues north-northwest after leaving Blooming Prairie, traveling through predominantly agricultural scenery. It passes by Oak Glen Lake before going through the unincorporated town of Bixby.
After passing through the town of Pratt, U.S. 218 meets U.S. 14 at a folded diamond interchange. 218 runs westward concurrent with 14, while it's historic route through downtown Owatonna
continues ahead as County Road 48. After an interchange with County Road 45 (former U.S. 65
), 218 and 14 pass by Kaplan's Woods Park and reach Interstate 35
, where U.S. 218 ends.
Legally, the Minnesota section of U.S. 218 is defined as Route 40 in Minnesota Statutes § 161.114(2).
s, six inches in diameter
, mounted on each side. In 1920, the Minnesota portion of the route was designated as Constitutional Route
40, as part of the Babcock Amendment that established the Minnesota trunk highway system.
In Iowa
, U.S. 218 was extended from its previous southern terminus, at its intersection with U.S. 30 in Benton County, in 1934 when U.S. Route 161
was split and renamed. The former U.S. 161 had extended from Dubuque
, through Cedar Rapids, to Keokuk
. After the split, the section of former U.S. 161 from Dubuque to Cedar Rapids extended U.S. 151 south, and the section of U.S. 30 from the former terminus of U.S. 218 to its intersection with the former U.S. 161 in Cedar Rapids, along with the section of former U.S. 161 from Cedar Rapids to Keokuk, extended U.S. 218 south.
In 1965, U.S. 218 was rerouted along bypasses of Austin, Minnesota
and Owatonna, Minnesota
, the latter following a route that would later become the U.S. 14 bypass of that city as well.
, the northernmost 0.7 miles (1.1 km) are officially known as Iowa Highway 438. The routing was created as a result of construction of the Avenue of the Saints
corridor through Iowa. The new Avenue of the Saints corridor took US 218 / IA 27 and U.S. Route 34
around the eastern and northern edges of Mount Pleasant
. The Iowa 438 section of US 218 Business serves as a connector from southbound US 218/IA 27 to westbound US 34.
and runs concurrently for about one mile. South of Iowa Highway 3, U.S. Route 218 Business is officially known as Iowa Highway 116. U.S. Route 218 Business begins at exit 198 of US 218 / IA 27 south of Waverly and ends at exit 205 of US 218 / IA 27.
corridor created a bypass around Charles City. Upon its designation, the route was officially known by two Iowa state highways – Iowa Highway 337 and Iowa Highway 162. Iowa 337 was deleted in 2001 and Iowa 162 was deleted in 2006 after US 18 was relocated through Charles City.
U.S. Route 18
U.S. Route 18 is an east–west U.S. highway in the Midwestern United States. The western terminus is in Orin, Wyoming at an interchange with Interstate 25. Its eastern terminus of US 18 is in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. However, US 18 runs concurrent with other U.S...
, US 218 neither begins nor ends at US 18, but overlaps US 18 for 8 miles (12.9 km) near Charles City, Iowa
Charles City, Iowa
Charles City is a city in Floyd County, Iowa, United States. The population was 7,652 at the 2010 census a decrease of 160, or 2%, from 7,812 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Floyd County. Charles City is a significant commercial and transportation center for the area, located on U.S...
. US 218 begins at U.S. Route 136
U.S. Route 136
U.S. Highway 136 is a spur of U.S. Highway 36. It runs from Edison, Nebraska, at U.S. Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 34 to the Interstate 74/Interstate 465 interchange in Speedway, Indiana. This is a distance of 804 miles .-Nebraska:...
in downtown Keokuk
Keokuk, Iowa
Keokuk is a city in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Iowa and one of the county seats of Lee County. The other county seat is Fort Madison. The population was 11,427 at the 2000 census. The city is named after the Sauk Chief Keokuk, who is thought to be buried in Rand Park...
and ends 319 miles (513.4 km) away at Interstate 35 and U.S. Route 14
U.S. Route 14
U.S. Route 14 , an east–west route, is one of the original United States highways of 1926. It currently has a length of 1,398 miles , but it had a peak length of 1,429 miles . For much of its length, it runs roughly parallel to Interstate 90.As of 2004, the highway's eastern terminus is in...
at Owatonna, Minnesota
Owatonna, Minnesota
Owatonna is a city in Steele County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 25,599 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Steele County. Owatonna is home to the Steele County Fairgrounds, which hosts the Steele County Free Fair in August....
. A large portion of US 218 in Iowa is part of the Avenue of the Saints
Avenue of the Saints
The Avenue of the Saints is a highway in the Midwestern United States that connects St. Paul, Minnesota, and St. Louis, Missouri.-Missouri:Within Missouri, the Avenue of the Saints is Interstate 64, U.S...
, which connects St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, and St. Paul, Minnesota.
Iowa
U.S. 218 is part of the Avenue of the SaintsAvenue of the Saints
The Avenue of the Saints is a highway in the Midwestern United States that connects St. Paul, Minnesota, and St. Louis, Missouri.-Missouri:Within Missouri, the Avenue of the Saints is Interstate 64, U.S...
between Floyd
Floyd, Iowa
Floyd is a city in Floyd County, Iowa, United States. The population was 361 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Floyd is located at on the Cedar River....
and Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Cedar Falls is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States, and it is home to one of Iowa's three public universities, the University of Northern Iowa. The population was 39,260 in the 2010 census, an increase from the 36,145 population in the 2000 census...
, and again between Cedar Rapids and a point south of Donnellson
Donnellson, Iowa
Donnellson is a city in Lee County, Iowa, United States. The population was 963 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Fort Madison–Keokuk, IA-MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Donnellson is located at ....
. North of Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Mount Pleasant is a city in and the county seat of Henry County, Iowa, in the United States. The population was 8,668 in the 2010 census, a decline from 8,751 in the 2000 census. It was founded in 1835 by pioneer Presley Saunders.- History :...
, the parts of US 218 that follow the Avenue have been completely upgraded to four lanes, with either at-grade intersections or controlled access. When 218 is part of the Avenue of the Saints, it is co-signed with Iowa Highway 27.
Minnesota
U.S. 218 enters the state at LyleLyle, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 566 people, 211 households, and 148 families residing in the city. The population density was 733.2 people per square mile . There were 225 housing units at an average density of 291.5 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 99.82% White and 0.18%...
, in Mower County
Mower County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 38,603 people, 15,582 households, and 10,315 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 16,251 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
. It follows along the east side of the Iowa, Chicago, and Eastern Railroad line as it continues northward through farm fields. Southeast of Austin
Austin, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,314 people, 9,897 households, and 6,076 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,168.2 people per square mile . There were 10,261 housing units at an average density of 954.3 per square mile...
, U.S. 218 angles northeastward to bypass the city, its former route following County Road 45 into town.
U.S. 218 passes by the Austin Municipal Airport just before its interchange with Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
. The highway runs concurrent with I-90 for nearly three miles through northern Austin. When U.S. 218 departs from the interstate and turns back north, it becomes a four-lane divided highway for a short time. After its junction with State Highway 251
Minnesota State Highway 251
Minnesota State Highway 251 is a highway in southeast Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with Interstate 35 at Clarks Grove and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with U.S...
, the highway angles north-northwestward again following the IC&E rail line, this time on the west side of the tracks.
The highway enters Dodge County
Dodge County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,731 people, 6,420 households, and 4,853 families residing in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile . There were 6,642 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...
for less than a mile, then reaches Steele County
Steele County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,680 people, 12,846 households, and 9,082 families residing in the county. The population density was 78 people per square mile . There were 13,306 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile...
, Blooming Prairie
Blooming Prairie, Minnesota
Blooming Prairie is a city in Dodge and Steele counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 1,996 at the 2010 census. Most of the city lies in Steele County; only a small part of the city extends into Dodge County.-History:...
, and an 8-block-long concurrency with State Highway 30
Minnesota State Highway 30
Minnesota State Highway 30 is a highway in southwest and southeast Minnesota, which runs from South Dakota Highway 34 at the South Dakota state line near Airlie and Pipestone, and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with Minnesota Highway 43 in Rushford.Highway 30 is in...
. It continues north-northwest after leaving Blooming Prairie, traveling through predominantly agricultural scenery. It passes by Oak Glen Lake before going through the unincorporated town of Bixby.
After passing through the town of Pratt, U.S. 218 meets U.S. 14 at a folded diamond interchange. 218 runs westward concurrent with 14, while it's historic route through downtown Owatonna
Owatonna, Minnesota
Owatonna is a city in Steele County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 25,599 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Steele County. Owatonna is home to the Steele County Fairgrounds, which hosts the Steele County Free Fair in August....
continues ahead as County Road 48. After an interchange with County Road 45 (former U.S. 65
U.S. Route 65
U.S. Route 65 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 425 in Clayton, Louisiana. The northern terminus is at Interstate 35 just south of Interstate 90 in Albert Lea, Minnesota...
), 218 and 14 pass by Kaplan's Woods Park and reach Interstate 35
Interstate 35
Interstate 35 is a north–south Interstate Highway in the central United States. I-35 stretches from Laredo, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border to Duluth, Minnesota, at Minnesota Highway 61 and 26th Avenue East. Many interstates used to have splits or spurs indicated with suffixed letters , but I-35...
, where U.S. 218 ends.
Legally, the Minnesota section of U.S. 218 is defined as Route 40 in Minnesota Statutes § 161.114(2).
History
In 1913, work on the road that is now U.S. 218 was begun. At this time it was called the Red Ball Route. It was called this because the original route was marked with poles which had red ballBall
A ball is a round, usually spherical but sometimes ovoid, object with various uses. It is used in ball games, where the play of the game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked or thrown by players. Balls can also be used for simpler activities, such as catch, marbles and juggling...
s, six inches in diameter
Diameter
In geometry, a diameter of a circle is any straight line segment that passes through the center of the circle and whose endpoints are on the circle. The diameters are the longest chords of the circle...
, mounted on each side. In 1920, the Minnesota portion of the route was designated as Constitutional Route
Constitutional route
In the U.S. state of Minnesota, a legislative route is a highway number defined by the Minnesota State Legislature. The routes from 1 to 70 are constitutional routes, defined as part of the Babcock Amendment to the Minnesota State Constitution, passed November 2, 1920. All of them were listed in...
40, as part of the Babcock Amendment that established the Minnesota trunk highway system.
In Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, U.S. 218 was extended from its previous southern terminus, at its intersection with U.S. 30 in Benton County, in 1934 when U.S. Route 161
U.S. Route 161
U.S. Route 161 was a U.S. Highway in Iowa that ran from Keokuk to Dubuque by way of Cedar Rapids. The route of US 161 is now covered by two routes:*U.S. Route 218 from Keokuk to Cedar Rapids*U.S. Route 151 from Cedar Rapids to Dubuque...
was split and renamed. The former U.S. 161 had extended from Dubuque
Dubuque
-Places:United States* Dubuque, Iowa* Dubuque County, Iowa* Dubuque, Kansas* East Dubuque, Illinois* University of Dubuque* USS Dubuque-Surnames:* Julien Dubuque, a French Canadian who arrived near what now is known as Dubuque, Iowa...
, through Cedar Rapids, to Keokuk
Keokuk
Keokuk may refer to:*Keokuk Places or warships named after Chief Keokuk:*Keokuk, Iowa, USA*Keokuk County, Iowa, USA*Keokuk Airport, USA*Keokuk-Hamilton Bridge, USA*Keokuk Rail Bridge, USA*USS Keokuk, several US Navy ships, including:...
. After the split, the section of former U.S. 161 from Dubuque to Cedar Rapids extended U.S. 151 south, and the section of U.S. 30 from the former terminus of U.S. 218 to its intersection with the former U.S. 161 in Cedar Rapids, along with the section of former U.S. 161 from Cedar Rapids to Keokuk, extended U.S. 218 south.
In 1965, U.S. 218 was rerouted along bypasses of Austin, Minnesota
Austin, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,314 people, 9,897 households, and 6,076 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,168.2 people per square mile . There were 10,261 housing units at an average density of 954.3 per square mile...
and Owatonna, Minnesota
Owatonna, Minnesota
Owatonna is a city in Steele County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 25,599 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Steele County. Owatonna is home to the Steele County Fairgrounds, which hosts the Steele County Free Fair in August....
, the latter following a route that would later become the U.S. 14 bypass of that city as well.
Major intersections
Related routes
Mount Pleasant business route
U.S. Route 218 Business was designated along a former routing of US 218 through Mount PleasantMount Pleasant, Iowa
Mount Pleasant is a city in and the county seat of Henry County, Iowa, in the United States. The population was 8,668 in the 2010 census, a decline from 8,751 in the 2000 census. It was founded in 1835 by pioneer Presley Saunders.- History :...
, the northernmost 0.7 miles (1.1 km) are officially known as Iowa Highway 438. The routing was created as a result of construction of the Avenue of the Saints
Avenue of the Saints
The Avenue of the Saints is a highway in the Midwestern United States that connects St. Paul, Minnesota, and St. Louis, Missouri.-Missouri:Within Missouri, the Avenue of the Saints is Interstate 64, U.S...
corridor through Iowa. The new Avenue of the Saints corridor took US 218 / IA 27 and U.S. Route 34
U.S. Route 34
U.S. Route 34 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 1,122 miles from north-central Colorado to the western suburbs of Chicago. Through Rocky Mountain National Park it is known as the Trail Ridge Road where it reaches 12,183 ft , making it the highest paved through highway in...
around the eastern and northern edges of Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Mount Pleasant is a city in and the county seat of Henry County, Iowa, in the United States. The population was 8,668 in the 2010 census, a decline from 8,751 in the 2000 census. It was founded in 1835 by pioneer Presley Saunders.- History :...
. The Iowa 438 section of US 218 Business serves as a connector from southbound US 218/IA 27 to westbound US 34.
Waverly business route
U.S. Route 218 Business was designated December 2, 1998 on the old segment of US 218 after it was routed around Waverly, spanning 6.6 miles (10.6 km). It intersects Iowa Highway 3 in downtown WaverlyWaverly, Iowa
Waverly is a city in Bremer County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,874 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Bremer County and is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area....
and runs concurrently for about one mile. South of Iowa Highway 3, U.S. Route 218 Business is officially known as Iowa Highway 116. U.S. Route 218 Business begins at exit 198 of US 218 / IA 27 south of Waverly and ends at exit 205 of US 218 / IA 27.
Charles City business route
U.S. Route 218 Business was designated along the old alignment of US 218 in 2000 after the construction of the Avenue of the SaintsAvenue of the Saints
The Avenue of the Saints is a highway in the Midwestern United States that connects St. Paul, Minnesota, and St. Louis, Missouri.-Missouri:Within Missouri, the Avenue of the Saints is Interstate 64, U.S...
corridor created a bypass around Charles City. Upon its designation, the route was officially known by two Iowa state highways – Iowa Highway 337 and Iowa Highway 162. Iowa 337 was deleted in 2001 and Iowa 162 was deleted in 2006 after US 18 was relocated through Charles City.