Grinnell sits at the heart of a constellation of Midwestern cities. The College’s location in central Iowa makes it an easy drive from any major metropolis in the Midwest:
- Des Moines (1 hour)
- Omaha (3 hours)
- Kansas City (4 hours)
- Madison (4 hours)
- Chicago (5 hours)
- Minneapolis-St.Paul (5 hours)
- St. Louis (5 hours)
Driving Instructions
From I-80
The Grinnell exit (exit 182) off I-80 is approximately halfway between Iowa City and Des Moines.
- Take exit 182 and proceed north three miles on Highway 146.
- Turn east (right) on Sixth Avenue (Highway 6).
- Proceed two and one half blocks on Sixth Avenue to the Grinnell College campus.
From Southwest Wisconsin
- Take Highway 151 through Dubuque, Iowa, to I-380 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
- Take I-380 south for approximately 16 miles and then head west on I-80.
- Take exit 182 and drive north three miles on Highway 146.
- Turn east (right) on Sixth Avenue (Highway 6).
- Proceed two and one half blocks on Sixth Avenue to the Grinnell College campus.
From Waterloo and Other Points in Northeast Iowa
- Take Highway 63 south to the intersection with Highway 6.
- Head west on Highway 6 into Grinnell. Highway 6 becomes Sixth Avenue.
- Grinnell College will be on the right.
From the Twin Cities
- Take I-35 south to Des Moines, Iowa, and then take I-80 east.
- Take exit 182 and proceed north three miles on Highway 146.
- Turn east (right) on Sixth Avenue (Highway 6).
- Proceed two and one half blocks on Sixth Avenue to the Grinnell College campus.
From St. Louis
- Take I-70 west to Columbia, Missouri, and then take Highway 63 north to New Sharon, Iowa.
- At the stop sign in the center of New Sharon, proceed straight to take Highway 146 north to Grinnell.
- Turn east (right) on Sixth Avenue (Highway 6).
- Proceed two and one half blocks on Sixth Avenue to the Grinnell College campus.
Airports
If you do not live in the Midwest, you can fly to Des Moines or Cedar Rapids. Both airports are about one hour from Grinnell College. Visiting families arriving at the Des Moines international Airport should plan to rent a car to travel to and from Grinnell College. Grinnell College does not provide shuttle services within Grinnell or to and from the airport for visiting families. Taxis, ride share services, and public transportation are not available within the town of Grinnell or to get you from Grinnell back to the airport.
Prospective Students and Families: When You Arrive
Grinnell College regular office hours are:
- During the academic year: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- During the fall and in the month of April, the Office of Admission is also open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- During the summer months: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
When you arrive on campus during our office hours, please go directly to the Office of Admission on the first floor of the Admission and Student Financial Services building, which is located on the southwest corner of 8th Avenue and Park St.