08/31/2026
Farm Progress Show traffic reminder
Beginning tomorrow September 1st and continuing through Thursday September 3rd there will be a significant increase in daily traffic along the Highway 30 as well as the Highway 17 corridors in Boone County.
The heaviest traffic impacts are expected to be from 6:00am-10:00am daily and again from 3:00pm-6:00pm daily. During these times some intersections around the Boone County Expo Site may be closed and the direction of traffic flow will be altered to assist with ingress and egress to the show grounds.
***Link to the Boone Police Department Farm Progress traffic information:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/196fA5U7hj/
***Below is the media release from the Iowa State Patrol with details on traffic information for the show and the impacts that may be experienced in the area.
Iowa Department of Public Safety
For immediate release:
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Des Moines, Iowa
2026 FARM PROGRESS SHOW
TRAFFIC INFORMATION
The Iowa State Patrol is preparing for the 2026 Farm Progress Show and encouraging motorists to plan ahead. The show will be held Tuesday, September 1, through Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the permanent Farm Progress Show site (Central Iowa Expo) along Iowa Highway 17, just north of U.S. 30 in Boone County. Organizers anticipate 20,000 vehicles will travel to Boone County each day, with total attendance expected to approach 200,000 during the three-day event.
The Iowa Department of Transportation, Boone County Engineer’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Farm Progress Show organizers, and traffic control personnel are working together to maintain safe and efficient traffic flow throughout the event. Signs will clearly identify designated travel routes, and Iowa State Patrol troopers will be positioned at key intersections to assist with traffic movement.
Motorists traveling to and from the event along these routes are reminded to expect slow traffic and delays, obey all traffic laws, pay attention to signs and flashing lights, and always follow officers’ directions. Motorists should avoid stopping on the traveled portion of the roadway to ask officers questions unless it is an emergency. Safe and efficient traffic flow with minimal delays will require cooperation between the motoring public and law enforcement.
To find your best travel route to the Farm Progress Show visit:
https://www.farmprogressshow.com/en/Attend/FAQ1.html
With a traffic increase of this magnitude, some delays should be expected near the Farm Progress Show site. Highways most likely to be affected include Interstate 35 near Ames, U.S. 30 between Ames and Boone, Iowa 17 near Boone, as well as some county roads near the event site. State troopers expect travel times to be heaviest from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Please also note that some roads in the Boone County area may be temporarily closed for traffic control and safety.
The Iowa State Patrol and Farm Progress Show organizers are sensitive to the needs of local residents. To avoid congested roadways and substantial delays, Boone County residents are encouraged to use alternate routes during peak traffic periods.
Suggested Travel Routes for Visitors to the
Farm Progress Show
Show organizers, along with local, county, and state officials, have met regularly for more than a year to develop the safest and most efficient traffic routes to and from the show. Following these directions will help visitors enter and exit the show site safely and efficiently.
From the north: Take Interstate 35 south to Exit 111. Take U.S. Highway 30 west to Iowa Highway 17. Take Iowa Highway 17 south to the show site.
From the west: Take Interstate 80 east to Interstate 35. Take Interstate 35 north to Exit 111. Take U.S. Highway 30 west to Iowa Highway 17. Take Iowa Highway 17 north to the show site.
From the south: Take Interstate 35 north to Exit 111. Take U.S. Highway 30 west to Iowa Highway 17.
From the east: Take Interstate 80 west to Interstate 35. Take Interstate 35 north to Exit 111. Take U.S. Highway 30 west to Iowa Highway 17.
Exhibitors, vendors, VIPs, buses, and campers should use the designated routes and parking areas provided by Farm Progress Show organizers.
Parking passes should be displayed in all vendors and exhibitor vehicles. Passes should be hung from the rearview mirror and remain clearly visible to law enforcement and parking staff.
Potential Road Closures near the
Farm Progress Show:
The following roadways/intersections may be closed temporarily September 1 through September 3 from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Iowa 17 from U.S. 30 to 210th Street will be one way traffic for Farm Progress Show, during peak traffic periods.
• 210th Street at the junction of Iowa 17.
• T–Avenue south of 210th Street.
• Eastbound Mamie Eisenhower at R Avenue.
The following roadways are expected to see a large increase in traffic during show dates:
• U.S. 30 between Ames and U.S. 169 (both directions)
• Iowa 17 near Boone (both directions)
• Interstate 35 near Ames (both directions)
• County Road E - 26 in Boone County
• County Road R - 38 in Boone County
• County Road T - Avenue in Boone County
• 210th Street east of Boone
• 220th Street east of Boone
Concert Traffic
A free concert featuring Jason Brown and a pyro-technic drone show by Sky Elements will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
Potential temporary traffic restrictions near the Farm Progress Show site during the following times: 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.