Through Council Bluffs, the highways pass through the southern part of the city but just to the north of Lake Manawa.

Thirteen miles (21 km) later, the highway crosses the East Nishnabotna River before it enters Griswold.

[3][4] The highway heads due east for eighteen miles (29 km) where it meets Iowa 148 near Massena and passes to the north of Bridgewater.

After the long straightaway, the highway turns to the northeast towards Fontanelle and then curves to the east-northeast to Greenfield and an intersection with Iowa 25.

At John Wayne Drive, named after the actor who was born in Winterset, US 169 turns to the north toward Adel and Iowa 92 continues to the east.

On the western edge of the city, a directional interchange marks the beginning of Iowa 92's lone business route as the mainline highway curves to the south.

East of downtown, near the neighboring community of University Park, it meets Iowa 23, which heads south to Ottumwa.

Continuing east, the highway crosses the north and south branches of the Skunk River before it intersects Iowa 21 northwest of Delta.

[3][4] The roadway follows a straight line east through Sigourney, where it is briefly overlapped by Iowa 149, and West Chester.

East of the Avenue of the Saints, the path of Iowa 92 is shaped by the adjacent railroad tracks owned by Canadian Pacific.

[5] At Columbus Junction, the highway takes an overpass above the downtown area and descends into the Iowa River valley.

The highways turn to the northeast to descend onto Muscatine Island, a sandy plain known for growing conditions ideal for melons, particularly muskmelons.

[2] Iowa 92's designation created a continuous Highway 92 from North Platte, Nebraska to La Moille, Illinois.