Rest Stops NearbyI-35 rest stops in Iowa
We list 13 rest stops on I-35 in Iowa, at 11 locations. That includes 1 welcome center and 1 truck parking area. The biggest gap, about 43 miles, lies between I-35 Rest Area near Buffalo (historical) and I-35 Rest Area at Mile 100. Together they have 196 truck parking spaces.
Northbound: Lamoni Rest Area to Iowa Welcome Center
| Rest stop | Side | Mile | Near | Restrooms | Truck spaces | From previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamoni Rest Area | NB | 7 | Lamoni | – | 16 | – |
| Osceola Alternate Parking Area | SB | – | Osceola | No | – | ≈ 27 mi |
| Osceola Rest Area | NB | 33 | Osceola | Yes | 13 | ≈ 1.7 mi |
| Osceola Rest Area | SB | 33 | Osceola | Yes | 12 | < 1 mi |
| I-35 Rest Area near Buffalo (historical) | – | – | Buffalo (historical) | No | – | ≈ 24 mi |
| I-35 Rest Area at Mile 100 | NB | 100 | Elkhart | – | 20 | ≈ 43 mi |
| I-35 Rest Area at Mile 100 | SB | 100 | Elkhart | – | 20 | < 1 mi |
| I-35 Rest Area at Mile 119 | SB | 119 | Roland | – | 15 | 19 mi |
| I-35 Rest Area at Mile 120 | NB | 120 | Roland | – | 16 | ≈ 1.5 mi |
| I-35 Dows Rest Stop | – | 159 | Dows | – | 50 | 39 mi |
| I-35 Rest Area near Clear Lake | – | – | Clear Lake | No | – | ≈ 40 mi |
| I-35 Rest Area near Northwood | – | – | Northwood | No | – | ≈ 18 mi |
| Iowa Welcome Center | SB | 214 | Northwood | – | 34 | ≈ 3.3 mi |
Mile = state mile marker where our sources give one. Distances use mile markers when both stops have one, otherwise the straight-line distance plus 15 % (marked ≈). "–" means we have no data.
Driving southbound
Southbound drivers meet the same list from the other end, beginning at Iowa Welcome Center. Stops marked NB in the table are on the other side of the road; use the ones marked SB or Both.
- Iowa Welcome Center · mile 214
- I-35 Rest Area near Northwood · direction not confirmed
- I-35 Rest Area near Clear Lake · direction not confirmed
- I-35 Dows Rest Stop · mile 159 · direction not confirmed
- I-35 Rest Area at Mile 119 · mile 119
- I-35 Rest Area at Mile 100 · mile 100
- I-35 Rest Area near Buffalo (historical) · direction not confirmed
- Osceola Rest Area · mile 33
- Osceola Alternate Parking Area
Can you sleep at rest stops in Iowa?
We found no statewide hour limit for Iowa rest areas in state law or on the state DOT website. Sites can still post a limit at the entrance. Sleeping in the car is one thing; tents are another and not welcome.
Checked October 2026. Know the rule? Send us the source.
Official list: Iowa rest areas (state DOT)
I-35 beyond Iowa
Southbound, I-35 continues in Missouri. Northbound, it continues in Minnesota. All I-35 rest stops · All rest areas in Iowa
Frequently asked questions
How many rest stops are on I-35 in Iowa?
13 rest stops in our list: 8 reachable northbound and 9 southbound (counting stops whose direction we could not confirm for both).
What is the longest stretch without a rest stop on I-35 in Iowa?
About 43 miles, between I-35 Rest Area near Buffalo (historical) near Buffalo (historical) and I-35 Rest Area at Mile 100 near Elkhart.
Is there a welcome center on I-35 in Iowa?
Yes: Iowa Welcome Center (southbound).
Which I-35 rest stops in Iowa have restrooms?
Restrooms are mapped at 2 of the 13 stops, for example Osceola Rest Area and Osceola Rest Area. For the others we have no confirmed data.
Can you sleep at I-35 rest stops in Iowa?
We found no statewide hour limit in Iowa. Follow the signs posted at each site.