As a largely rural route, Iowa 56 passes through the farmland of Fayette and Clayton counties.

Through Elkader and to its eastern end, the highway runs parallel to the Turkey River.

The route starts out heading to the east, but turns to the south as it leaves the city limits.

[3] 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.

[4] Being a largely rural route, it passes through the rolling farmland of Fayette and Clayton counties.

The street plan of Elkader was influenced by the river, which flows from the northwest to southeast through town.

By the 1950s, the western end of the route shifted to its current position in West Union.

[10][11] In 2004, the two intersections of Iowa 56 along Bridge Street were rebuilt to allow large trucks to take the sharp turns.