[1] CR V51 connects Iowa 281 to an interchange with U.S. Highway 20 located 3+1⁄2 miles (5.6 km) to the south.

At the intersection, Iowa 281 turns to the north, while CR D20 continues to the east.

[2] Iowa 281 travels north for 9 miles (14 km), passing through Dunkerton and crossing Crane Creek.

[1] It turns to the east, 1⁄2 mile (0.80 km) south of the Bremer County line and crosses the Wapsipinicon River.

[3] In 1980, it was extended along County Road V3C in Black Hawk and Buchanan Counties and took over the routing of Iowa Highway 190, which was a spur route connecting Fairbank to Iowa Highway 150 south of Oelwein.