Low Clearance Bridges in Iowa
Iowa has 397 low-clearance bridges, tunnels, and overpasses in our database. The lowest covered bridge in our database is in Winterset, at 6'0", and 239 structures are lower than 13'6", the height of a standard semi-trailer. Every height is checked by hand and tagged with the direction of travel it affects.
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The 15 lowest bridges in Iowa
Road and railroad structures with the least clearance, and the directions of travel each one affects. Footbridges over bike paths are left out. Open the map to see every structure by name and location.
| # | Structure | Location | Affects traffic | Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Covered bridge | Winterset | N & S | 6'0" |
| 2 | Covered bridge | Winterset | W & E | 7'6" |
| 3 | Covered bridge | Winterset | SE & NW | 7'10" |
| 4 | Railroad bridge | Vinton | S & N | 8'0" |
| 5 | Road overpass | Burlington | N & S | 8'1" |
| 6 | Railroad bridge | Grinnell | E & W | 8'3" |
| 7 | Railroad bridge | Davenport | W & E | 8'6" |
| 8 | Truss bridge | Elk Horn | N & S | 8'8" |
| 9 | Railroad bridge | Council Bluffs | NE & SW | 8'8" |
| 10 | Truss bridge | Corning | N & S | 9'0" |
| 11 | Truss bridge | Atlantic | E & W | 9'0" |
| 12 | Truss bridge | Cedar Rapids | SE & NW | 9'0" |
| 13 | Truss bridge | Marshalltown | E & W | 9'0" |
| 14 | Truss bridge | Fontanelle | E & W | 9'0" |
| 15 | Truss bridge | Corning | E & W | 9'0" |
Showing 15 of 397 structures. Clearances are posted or measured heights, verified by the Low Clearance Map team. Locations are the town or county the structure sits in.
How low do Iowa bridges go?
About 1 in 2 structures in Iowa is lower than 13'6", the height of a standard semi-trailer. Most RVs, box trucks, and rental moving trucks are between 10 and 13 feet tall, so anything in the red bars is a risk for them too.
Structures by clearance
Below 13'6"Iowa towns with the most low bridges
Plan a route through any of them and Low Clearance Map checks every structure against your vehicle height.
How to avoid low bridges in Iowa
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01
Enter your route
Type your start and destination into the Low Clearance Map web app.
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02
Set your vehicle height
Measure to the highest point, including roof air conditioners, antennas, and ladders. Rental trucks post it on the cab.
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03
Drive it with HeadRoom
Voice-guided directions on CarPlay and Android Auto that warn you before any structure too low for your direction. Get HeadRoom.
How many low clearance bridges are in Iowa?
Low Clearance Map lists 397 low-clearance bridges, tunnels, and overpasses in Iowa. 239 of them are lower than 13'6", the height of a standard semi-trailer. Davenport, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids have the most low structures.
What is the lowest bridge in Iowa?
The lowest covered bridge in our database is in Winterset, at 6'0". Every clearance in our database is checked by a person and tagged with the direction of travel it affects, so you are only warned when it applies to you.
Does Google Maps avoid low bridges in Iowa?
No. Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze do not check your vehicle height against bridge clearances. Low Clearance Map checks your route against every verified structure in Iowa, then sends the safe route to Google Maps or Apple Maps, or to HeadRoom for voice-guided navigation.
How do I avoid low bridges in Iowa?
Plan your trip in Low Clearance Map with your vehicle height set. It flags every structure that is too low for you in your direction of travel and builds a route around them. Then drive it in HeadRoom, which gives voice guidance on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and warns you before any low bridge.
How accurate is the Iowa bridge clearance data?
Each of the 397 structures in Iowa was verified by the Low Clearance Map team using public records, imagery, and driver reports, and carries Hazard Headings so alerts only fire for the affected direction of travel. The database was last updated in September 2026.
Plan a Iowa route that clears every bridge
$4.99 a month after a 7-day free trial. Includes the web app and HeadRoom for iOS and Android, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.