Iowa Road Trip to Niagara Falls: Best Stops for Families
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There’s something special about going on a road trip with your family, knowing you have complete control over where to stop, what to explore, and how long to linger.
Road trips let you experience the beauty of the U.S. firsthand, from charming small towns to iconic landmarks—all at your own pace.
When traveling with four kids of different ages, flexibility is key for us.
Being able to stretch our legs, see new sights, and experience different towns makes the journey just as exciting as the destination.
That’s exactly why we chose to drive from Des Moines, Iowa, to Niagara Falls, Ontario.
We took our time, making overnight stops in Elkhart, Indiana; Cleveland, Ohio; and Erie, Pennsylvania.
In this guide, I’ll share our full itinerary, top attractions, and helpful road trip tips to help you plan your own unforgettable journey.
✨ Note: This route also works great if you are starting from Chicago!
Niagara Falls Road Trip Overview
Our road trip covered just under 900 miles and took approximately 13.5 hours of drive time over four days.
While this route can be done faster, we intentionally planned stops to explore different cities and landmarks along the way.
- Total Drive Time: ~13.5 hours
- Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
- Overnight Stops: Elkhart, Cleveland, Erie
- Best Time to Go: Summer or early fall (winter driving can be tricky unless you’re planning to see Niagara Falls frozen over!)
📌 Need help planning your trip?— Download my complimentary travel itinerary planner! 👇
Des Moines to Niagara Falls: Day-by-Day Itinerary
If you’re starting from Chicago, this route works just as well, making it a fantastic Midwest-to-Niagara Falls itinerary! Your first driving day will be a bit shorter, or you could opt to drive all the way to Cleveland on day one (about 5 hours and 20 minutes)!
Day 1: Des Moines to Elkhart, Indiana (~6.5 hours)
Our first day was the longest stretch of driving, which worked well because everyone was still fresh and excited. 🤗
Optional Road Trip Stops Along the Way:
- World’s Largest Truck Stop (Walcott, IA) – A fun place to stretch your legs and snap a photo.
- Indiana Dunes National Park & State Park (Porter, IN) – Stop by the visitor center, then head to the state park to enjoy the beach or hike the dunes. (We stopped here on a different road trip!)
South Bend, Indiana Highlights:
- University of Notre Dame – We walked around campus, took pictures near the football stadium, and explored the beautiful grounds. 🏈
- Eddy Street Commons – A fun college-town area with shops and restaurants. We grabbed a quick dinner at Jimmy John’s.
- Overnight Stay: Fairfield Inn & Suites in Elkhart, Indiana (20 minutes from South Bend).
Day 2: Elkhart, Indiana to Cleveland, Ohio (~3.5 hours)
After the long drive on Day 1, this shorter leg felt easy.
Cleveland, Ohio Highlights:
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – A must-visit for music lovers! Our kids loved getting to play the guitars, keyboards, and even a real drum set! 🎸 🎹 🥁
- 5th Street Arcades – A historic shopping and dining area with a gorgeous glass atrium.
- Lake Erie Waterfront – We walked along the shore and saw the Steamship William G. Mather.
- Public Art Stops -The Cleveland Script Sign near Lake Erie and the FREE Stamp in Willard Park.
- Overnight Stay: Residence Inn Marriott Downtown Cleveland (This was a unique, historic building connected to the 5th Street Arcades, but it did not have a pool!)
➡️ Check out my complete guide to things to do in Cleveland with kids, packed with extra details and helpful tips!
Day 3: Cleveland to Erie, Pennsylvania (~2 hours)
This day was all about exploring Cuyahoga Valley National Park before continuing to Erie.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Highlights:
- Boston Mill Visitor Center – A great starting point! Pick up some souvenirs, your National Park stamp, and take a picture with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park sign. 📸
- Brandywine Falls – An easy, scenic hike on a boardwalk leading to a stunning waterfall. 🥾 💦
- Ledges Trail – A beautiful hike through rock formations and caves. The kids will love exploring on this trail! 🪨
➡️ Discover more family-friendly activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, complete with detailed information and helpful tips!
Erie, Pennsylvania Highlights:
- Dobbins Landing & Bicentennial Tower – Great waterfront views of Presque Isle Bay. We went up Bicentennial Tower for a bird’s eye view!
- Oliver’s Beer Garden – A fun outdoor dining spot right on the bay.
- Liberty Park – A waterfront playground where the kids burned off some more energy before bed.
- Overnight Stay: Springhill Suites, Erie
💡 Road Trip Tip: If you’re planning a longer sightseeing stop like a national park, keep your drive time shorter that day so you don’t overdo it—especially with kids!
Day 4: Erie, Pennsylvania to Niagara Falls, Ontario (~2 hours)
Since we did most of our Erie sightseeing the evening before, this day was all about reaching Niagara Falls.
- Drive Time: ~2 hours (122 miles)
- Border Crossing: We arrived at the Canada border around 12 PM.
Noteworthy Stops Along the Way
If you have extra time, these unique stops can add even more adventure to your road trip (great options for families traveling from both Des Moines and Chicago!):
Amana Colonies, Iowa – A historic German village with fun shops, delicious bakeries, and old-fashioned candy stores that kids will love.
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois – Kid-friendly hiking trails with waterfalls, easy overlooks, and picnic areas.
Toledo, Ohio – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium is one of the best zoos in the Midwest, and the National Museum of the Great Lakes has interactive exhibits about shipwrecks and maritime history.
Presque Isle State Park, Pennsylvania – Shallow beaches, bike trails, and a lighthouse make this a great spot for kids to stretch their legs and play.
Buffalo, New York – Stop at Canalside, where kids can play in the interactive water fountains, rent pedal boats, or explore the Buffalo Naval Park with real ships to tour. Don’t forget to grab some famous Buffalo wings!
✨ If you’re starting your road trip from Chicago, consider stopping overnight in Toledo after South Bend. You can visit a couple of attractions before continuing on to Cleveland on day two!
Top Tips for this Des Moines, Iowa to Niagara Falls Road Trip
✔️ Plan Overnight Stops Wisely – Breaking up the drive makes the trip feel more like an adventure than just a long haul.
✔️ Pack for Different Activities – From city exploring to hiking and beach stops, bring a variety of clothing and gear depending on your planned stops.
✔️ Have Border Documents Ready – If traveling into Canada, make sure you have passports for everyone (including kids!).
✔️ Use Rest Stops Strategically – Even if you don’t make big sightseeing stops, find scenic rest areas to stretch and refresh.
A Road Trip to Remember
Driving from Des Moines to Niagara Falls was one of our favorite family road trips.
The combination of big cities, scenic nature stops, and fun roadside attractions made the journey just as exciting as the final destination.
If you’re planning this trip, I highly recommend taking extra time to explore Cleveland and Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and stopping in Erie for some lakefront fun.
Looking for Niagara Falls travel inspiration? Check out:
👉 Guide to Planning a Trip to Niagara Falls with Your Family
👉 25 Family-Friendly Things to Do in Niagara Falls
Pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready for an epic family adventure! 🧳 🚗 🛣
Want to make packing for your next road trip easier? Grab my free packing tips guide to help you stay organized and stress-free on the road! 👇
May you LOVE your adventure! KW
