The route then headed south along Pine Street. It began in a different location in West Union than it does today, beginning at Primary Road No. 56 extended from West Union eastward to Guttenberg. When the Iowa primary highway system was created in 1920, Primary Road No. Iowa 56 originally crossed the Turkey River in Elkader Clayton County's Turkey River Park is located at the intersection of Iowa 13 and Iowa 56. The highway meanders to the south, following the river, to an intersection with Iowa 13 near where that highway crosses the Turkey River. Iowa 56 follows Bridge Street for one block it heads to the southeast again along First Street. The street plan of Elkader was influenced by the river, which flows from the northwest to southeast through town. There, it briefly turns to the northeast before turning southeast again along Second Street parallel to the Turkey River. It continues to the south-southeast until it nears Elkader.

Being a largely rural route, it passes through the rolling farmland of Fayette and Clayton counties. Southeast of West Union, Iowa 56 splits the distance between the Volga River and Echo Valley state parks, each approximately two miles (3.2 km) from the highway. Approximately one mile (1.6 km) south of town, it curves to the south-southeast. The route starts out heading to the east, but turns to the south as it leaves the city limits. Iowa Highway 56 begins at an intersection with Iowa 150 in the southern part of West Union.

Road to 56 turkey