Interstate 47 , also known as The Avenue of the Saints, is a major 563-mile North–South Interstate Highway in the portions of the United States. . It passes through Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri. It's South end is at Interstate 64 in St Louis while it's North end is at Interstate 94 in St Paul. Interstate 47 Serves The Cities of St Louis, Hannibal, Mt Pleasant, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Albert Lea and St. Paul. The name symbolizes the cities at both ends of the route, with St. Paul and St. Louis being named after saints. It runs primarily along U.S. Route 61 and U.S. Route 218, providing a crucial north-south connection through the Midwest, crossing Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri.
Its designation as a four-lane highway ensures smooth traffic flow, making it a popular route for both commercial transportation and passenger vehicles. Over the years, the highway has become an important regional corridor for trade and tourism.
Route Description[]
| miles | km | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MN | 124 | 200 | |
| IA | 163 | 262 | |
| MO | 276 | 444 |
Missouri[]
- The southern terminus of Interstate 47 (I-47) is at exit 28A on Interstate 64 (I-64) / U.S. Route 40 (US 40), marking the southern end of its concurrency with US 61. From this point, I-47 heads west towards Chesterfield, crossing Interstate 270 (I-270). It then turns northwest, crossing the Missouri River via the Daniel Boone Bridge. In Wentzville, I-47 intersects with Interstate 70 (I-70), which marks the western end of I-64 and the northern end of the concurrency with US 40. Continuing north, I-47 follows US 61, intersects with the western end of Interstate 72 (I-72) in Hannibal, and reaches the northern terminus of its concurrency with US 61. From there, it crosses the Des Moines River into Iowa. In Missouri, I-47 is co-signed with Missouri Route 27 up to the Iowa state line.
Iowa[]
- In Iowa, Interstate 47 (I-47) spans approximately 282 miles (454 kilometers), beginning at the Des Moines River crossing in Lee County where it takes over from Missouri Route 27. The route extends north to the Iowa state line in Worth County, where it becomes concurrent with Interstate 35 (I-35). The construction of I-47 through Iowa was completed on May 23, 2006. I-47 starts in Iowa as just Iowa Highway 27 for about ten miles (16 kilometers) before co-signing with U.S. Route 218 (US 218). It crosses Interstate 80 (I-80) in Iowa City and continues north. At this point, it joins Interstate 380 (I-380), with the concurrency ending in Waterloo. Near Floyd, US 218 splits off, and I-47 then begins a concurrency with U.S. Route 18 (US 18), running west until it intersects with I-35. From there, I-47 turns north and proceeds into Minnesota. In 2001, the Iowa Department of Transportation designated the route as Iowa 27. Before this designation, drivers traveling through Iowa on the Avenue of the Saints had to follow a series of routes: Iowa 394, US 218, I-380, US 20, Iowa 58, US 218 (again), US 18, and I-35. As with many rural expressways in Iowa, I-47 features exit numbers that correspond to the underlying highways, including US 218, I-380, US 20, US 18, and I-35. The section along Iowa 58 in Cedar Falls does not have exit numbers, and the segment south of Donnellson has one numbered exit—the northbound exit to US 218 south—based on the mileage of Iowa 27.
Minnesota[]
- In Minnesota, Interstate 47 (I-47) follows I-35 and I-35E for its entire length in the state, The route heads straight north, intersects with Interstate 90 (I-90) in Albert Lea, and continues to its northern terminus in St. Paul. It crosses the Mississippi River via the Lexington Bridge shortly before reaching its northern terminus at I-94 in St. Paul.
Counties[]
Missouri: St. Louis, St. Charles, Lincoln, Pike, Ralls, Marion, Lewis, Clark
Iowa: Lee, Henry, Washington, Johnson, Linn, Benton, Buchannan. Black Hawk, Bremer, Chickasaw, Floyd, Cerro Gordo, Worth
Minnesota: Freeborn, Steele, Rice, Scott, Dakota, Ramsey