Generally you will encounter either hills or long rolling slopes along this section, with the exception of the flat terrain north of Muscatine, Iowa.
The route avoids most of the high-traffic areas along the Mississippi, although a few stretches require caution.
Traffic increases wherever the route crosses the river
From Stillwater south to Afton, you'll drive through a growing residential area on narrow county roads.
Traffic can be heavy on US 61 between Wabasha and the junction with CR 7
In Winona, you can take an alternative called the Great Rivers State Trail which stays on the east bank of the Mississippi
Old railroad tracks run through Perrot State Park and Trempealeau