Best stops on I-35 in Iowa

All 66 exits ranked by what a road-tripper actually needs: real food choice, easy gas, 24-hour service, and the stops worth a detour. Winners below.

1. Exit 137A-B

Milepost 82.2 · 15 places to eat · 4 gas stations · 10 hotels · ♥ Adventureland Resort, The Monster (Station)

2. Exit 131 — Merle Hay Road;Saylorville Lake

Milepost 75.6 · 29 places to eat · 9 gas stations · 17 hotels · open 24 hours · ♥ Des Moines Art Center, Salisbury House

3. Exit 135 — 2nd Avenue;Polk City

Milepost 79.6 · 20 places to eat · 8 gas stations · 9 hotels · ♥ World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, Science Center of Iowa

4. Exit 125 — Hickman Road

Milepost 69.3 · 26 places to eat · 8 gas stations · 11 hotels · 24/7 travel center

5. Exit 194 — Clear Lake;Mason City

Milepost 187.8 · 24 places to eat · 4 gas stations · 9 hotels · 24/7 travel center

6. Exit 129 — Northwest 86th Street

Milepost 73.6 · 29 places to eat · 6 gas stations · 19 hotels · open 24 hours

7. Exit 136 — Ankeny

Milepost 80.6 · 28 places to eat · 9 gas stations · 11 hotels

8. Exit 90 — Oralabor Road;Bondurant

Milepost 85.2 · 29 places to eat · 5 gas stations · 19 hotels · open 24 hours

9. Exit 72A — Des Moines

Milepost 67.4 · 27 places to eat · 8 gas stations · 11 hotels

10. Exit 127 — Urbandale;Grimes

Milepost 72 · 25 places to eat · 8 gas stations · 10 hotels

← Every I-35 exit in Iowa