Interstate 380 Iowa

Interstate 380 Iowa
Coralville, IA ↔ Mitchell Avenue – Waterloo, IA•73.05 miles

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.

Mileage by State

Iowa72.97 mi

Data Sources

December 31, 2025 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

I-80/I-380 Systems Interchange Project

I-80/380 Turbine Interchange
I-80/380 Turbine Interchange design
I-80 east at I-380 - Coralville, IA
Construction of the flyover that will join I-80 eastbound with I-380/U.S. 218 north to Cedar Rapids. Photo by Peter Johnson (06/21/20).

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.

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

Recommended Interstate Route Numbers - Des Moines, Iowa
Recommended Interstate Route Numbers - Des Moines, IA November 1958
Northeastern Iowa - 1970
Interstate 380 first appeared on the Iowa Official Highway Map in 1970. The alignment of I-380 between Cedar Rapids and U.S. 20 near Raymond was contested by area farmers, leading to litigation based delays until 1979.4
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
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).
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/Iowa 27 east at I-380/US 218 - Waterloo, IA
Approaching Exits 232 A/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 232 A 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).
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).
U.S. 218 North at I-380/U.S. 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).

North End U.S. 218 ‐ Mitchell Avenue – Waterloo, IA

Interstate 380 U.S. 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/US 218 north at San Marnan Dr - Waterloo, IA I-380 ends a half mile north of the San Marnan Dr in Waterloo, IA I-380/US 218 north ahead of Mitchell Av and Leo P Roof Expwy I-380 north ends where U.S. 218 continues onto Leo P Roof Expressway

Interstate 380 U.S. 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

U.S. 218 south becomes I-380 at Mitchell Ave in Waterloo, Iowa I-380 commences south ahead of San Marnan Dr in Waterloo, Iowa I-380/U.S. 218 south at Exit 72 for San Marnan Dr in Waterloo, IA

South End Interstate 80 U.S. 218 Iowa State Highway 27 ‐ Coralville, IA

Interstate 380 U.S. 218 Iowa State Highway 27 South at Interstate 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

I-380/U.S. 218 south one mile ahead of I-80 at Tiffin, IA Two lanes separate from I-380/U.S. 218 south for I-80 at Tiffin, Iowa I-380/U.S. 218/Iowa 27 south at the systems interchange with I-80 Exit 0 partitions from the south end of I-380 for I-80 across Iowa Interstate 380 south end sign

U.S. 218 Iowa State Highway 27 North at Interstate 80 Interstate 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

U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north two miles ahead of I-80/380 in Iowa City Exit 96 departs from U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north for I-80 in 0.75 miles U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north at I-80 and the beginning of I-380 Ramps to I-80 separate from U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north adjacent to I-380

Interstate 80 East at Interstate 380 U.S. 218 Iowa State Highway 27

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

S Park Rd spans I-80 east at Exit 239 for I-380 north and U.S. 218 I-80 east three miles from I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 (Avenue of the Saints) I-80 east a quarter mile from Exit 239 for I-380 north and U.S. 218 I-80 east at Exit 239 for I-380/U.S. 218 at Tiffin, Iowa Exit 239 separates for I-380/U.S. 218 north to Cedar Rapids Exit 239 separates for U.S. 218 south to Mount Pleasant, Iowa

Interstate 80 West at Interstate 380 U.S. 218 Iowa State Highway 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 meets I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 1.25 miles west of Coral Ridge Ave I-80 west spans U.S. 6 a half mile from Exit 239 to I-380/U.S. 218 I-80 west at Exit 239 to I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 at Coralville, IA Exit 239 partitions for I-380/U.S. 218 north and U.S. 218 south

South End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

Interstate 380 U.S. 218 Iowa State Highway 27 South at Interstate 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 south at Forevergreen Rd, two miles from I-80. I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 south one mile from I-80 between Tiffin and Coralville I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 south cross U.S. 6 ahead of Exit 0 for I-80 The south end of Interstate 380 at Coraville and Tiffin, IA in 2016

Interstate 80 East at Interstate 380 U.S. 218 Iowa State Highway 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 Ireland Ave in Tiffin, IA, one mile from I-380/U.S. 218 I-80 east at former Exit 239 A for U.S. 218/Iowa 27 south to Iowa City I-80 east at old Exit 239 B for I-380/U.S. 218 north to Cedar Rapids, IA I-80 east at I-380/US 218/Iowa 27 - 2000 I-80 east at I-380/US 218/Iowa 27 - 2006

Interstate 80 West at Interstate 380 U.S. 218 Iowa State Highway 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 1.25 miles ahead of I-380/U.S. 218-Iowa 27 in 2013 I-80 west one mile from I-380 north and U.S. 218 in 2013 I-80 west at old Exit 239 B for I-380/U.S. 218 and Iowa 27 north I-80 west at former Exit 239 A to U.S. 218/Iowa 27 south I-80 west at I-380 - 1976

U.S. 218 Iowa State Highway 27 North at Interstate 80 Interstate 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

U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north one mile ahead of I-80/380 in 2016 Removed guide sign for I-80 east on U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north. U.S. 218/Iowa 27 north at the previous cloverleaf interchange with I-80/380 I-380/U.S. 218 north at I-80 west in 2007

References

  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. Summer, S. (2001, July 8). Interstate system route numbering. Northwest Indiana Highways. Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20040806123738/http://nwindianahwys.homestead.com/IOWA.html
  4. "Iowa Completion Status of Interstate System as of January 1, 1982." Iowa Department of Transportation.
  5. Hancock, J. (2025, November 28). I-380. Iowa Highways Page. Retrieved from http://iowahighways.org/highways/i-380.html
Updated January 28, 2024