It was renumbered to provide a continuous number across the state line into Minnesota.

Since 2004, the highway has been upgraded to expressway status, with some freeway sections, as part of a highway corridor connecting Sioux City with the Twin Cities metropolitan area in Minnesota.

Iowa 60 begins north of Le Mars at an interchange with U.S. Highway 75 (US 75) and its business loop.

Iowa 60 heads to the northeast adjacent to the Floyd River along a four-lane expressway.

Over its first 13 miles (21 km), it passes the small town of Seney and acres (hectares) of farmland until it reaches Alton.