Iowa Highway 96 begins at a T-intersection with Iowa Highway 14 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of Conrad.

From Iowa 14, it heads due east for 10 miles (16 km) towards Gladbrook.

East of Gladbrook, it continues east, angling slightly to the southeast, for 6 miles (9.7 km) until it ends at another T-intersection with U.S. Highway 63.

96 was originally designated as a 6-mile-long (9.7 km), unpaved spur route connecting Gladbrook to Primary Road No.

[2] By 1947, the highway had been extended west to Iowa 14.