 The route of the Lincoln Highway and US 30 has accommodated the changing needs of the traveling public . Early Lincoln Highway travelers were directed into many small towns as the route traveled 358 miles ( 576 km ) across the state . Towards the middle of the 20th century , the route was straightened , bypassing most downtown areas and several towns altogether . More recently , long sections of US 30 have been upgraded to a four @-@ lane expressway to meet the needs of increasing traffic . Since 2006 , the highway has been designated an Iowa Heritage Byway by Iowa DOT , the first highway in the state with that distinction . 
