 Iowa Highway 56 begins at an intersection with Iowa 150 in the southern part of West Union . The route starts out heading to the east , but turns to the south as it leaves the city limits . Approximately one mile ( 1 @.@ 6 km ) south of town , it curves to the south @-@ southeast . Southeast of West Union , Iowa 56 splits the distance between the Volga River and Echo Valley state parks , each approximately two miles ( 3 @.@ 2 km ) from the highway . Being a largely rural route , it passes through the rolling farmland of Fayette and Clayton counties . 
