The bucolic charms of Iowa are very easy on the eye. Driving through the state is pleasant, with a well thought out grid system and major interstates, in addition to scenic byways.

While many of the road rules here are common sense, it’s worth taking a little time to prepare before you arrive. For example, you’ll drive on the right and overtake on the left, and speed limits here are lower than in some states.

Seatbelts are compulsory, mobile phone use while driving is not allowed, and, on four lane highways, cars can pass on both the left and right-hand sides. There are no toll roads in Iowa, but there are two toll bridges for leaving the state – the Bellevue Bridge to Nebraska and the Fort Madison Bridge to Illinois.

Two of the major interstates bisect Iowa and meet up in the state capital, Des Moines. The I-80 runs east to west, passing through Iowa City along the way. The I-35 runs north to south and connects with Missouri and Minnesota. The state’s third interstate is the short I-380 which starts at Iowa City and goes north to Cedar Rapids, the second largest city, and on to Waterloo.

Take your pick when it comes to scenic drives in Iowa, but one gorgeous route is the Iowa section of the Great River Road, which traces the progress of the Mississippi river on the eastern border of the state. This 328-mile stretch has limestone buffs, wonderful overlooks, as well as art museums at Clinton, Davenport and Burlington. There are national monuments and mansions, wildlife refuges and water trails, state forest and heritage centres. As well as the natural beauty on offer, it’s the perfect way to dive deep into Iowa’s history.

What you see and do in Iowa depends on what kind of mood you’re in.

Craving culture? Delve into the many museums throughout the state, and explore not only the painting of Grant Wood, but the building that inspired his most famous work.

Hungry for history? Architecture abounds, while there are Native American burial mounds and incredible German colonies at Amana.

Feeling like fun? Come in August for the phenomenally popular state fair. Iowa has something for every day of the year.

Amazing Amana

The Amana Colonies, a short drive from Iowa City, are a national historic landmark and one of the state’s cultural highlights. Founded 150 years ago by German Pietists, a religious sect, the colonies are made up of seven villages where the settlers aspired to a utopian lifestyle and communal sharing of wealth and goods.

You can tour the buildings, stroll the quaint streets and buy local handcrafts such as furniture and woodwork, antiques and books. At the Ox Yoke Inn you can sample Germanic classics such as a variety of schnitzel, bratwurst, sauerbraten and more – they have an excellent gluten free menu too.

America’s painting

Iowan Grant Wood painted many things but ‘American Gothic’ is his most famous work, an indelible piece of Americana that has been reproduced, spoofed and adapted many times in popular culture.

There’s a Grant Wood scenic byway you can explore by car, which will lead you past much of the pastoral inspiration for his work, while the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art has the world’s largest collection of his work.

Visit his studio to see where he lived and worked, before heading to the American Gothic House Center in Eldon, the actual building that inspired his masterpiece. You can even dress up for photos and recreate it.

Breathtaking bridges

If you’re a fan of the movie The Bridges of Madison County – or the novel it was adapted from – then seeing the real things should be on your Iowan agenda. You can tick off all six covered bridges in the county – they were built in the late 19^th century.

The town of Winterset is nearby, a dream of a small traditional American town complete with square and old courthouse and it’s also the place where John Wayne was born.

From here you’re not much than a stone’s throw from Des Moines, and its truly impressive State Capitol building with its gold dome and what seems like acres of stained glass. When the weather’s fine, take in the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, which showcases significant artists including Keith Haring.

It’s an exciting and varied city to eat in, with something for every palate from the timid to the adventurous. Those fond of cheese will adore Cheese Bar, which does a reliably gooey fondue, a raclette cheese over crispy potatoes with bacon, great open sandwiches or fabulous charcuterie and, yes, cheese platters. Push the boat out with the deluxe smorgasbord – a selection of 5 meats, 6 cheeses, 2 terrines and ample sides.

With even more to explore and discover in this friendly state, car hire in Iowa will get you where you want to be, or even where you didn’t know you wanted to be until you got there and fell in love with it.