The Complete List of Missouri – Iowa Bordering Towns

The Missouri–Iowa border stitches together quiet river towns, farmland crossroads and the occasional historic main street where everyday life follows the rhythm of two states. Drive the back roads and you’ll see small post offices, bridges and county lines that tell a lot about local identity and travel patterns.

There are 15 Missouri – Iowa Bordering Towns, ranging from Alexandria to Pleasanton. For each entry you’ll find below Country,State side,County to make it easy to compare location and jurisdiction—see the list you’ll find below.

How were the towns on this list selected?

The list focuses on incorporated towns and recognized communities located on or immediately adjacent to the Missouri–Iowa state line, confirmed with county and state boundary maps; informal landmarks and purely seasonal sites were excluded to keep the entries consistent and verifiable.

What’s the easiest way to visit several of these towns in one trip?

Plan a driving route that follows the main highways and county roads along the border, grouping nearby towns into clusters, checking bridge crossings over rivers, and allowing extra time for slower rural roads and any seasonal closures.

Missouri – Iowa Bordering Towns

Images and Descriptions

Keokuk

A historic river city at the confluence of the Des Moines and Mississippi rivers. It’s known for Lock and Dam No. 19, the first and largest on the upper Mississippi, and its impressive collection of Victorian architecture overlooking the river.

Alexandria

A small Missouri village situated directly across the Des Moines River from Keokuk, Iowa. The town has a history tied to river commerce and faced significant challenges from the Great Flood of 1993, which submerged the entire community.

Farmington

Nestled along the Des Moines River, Farmington is part of the historic Villages of Van Buren. It’s known for its annual Strawberry Festival and for being the site of the first official baseball game played west of the Mississippi River in 1866.

Bonaparte

A historic river town whose entire downtown is a National Historic District. Its southern border is the Des Moines River, the state line. Visitors come to see the restored 19th-century mills and general store, offering a glimpse into Iowa’s past.

Cincinnati

A small town in southern Iowa whose southern city limit is the Missouri state line. Originally a coal mining community, it’s now a quiet rural town. A unique “witch’s grave” in the local cemetery often attracts curious visitors.

Coatsville

A tiny Missouri village with its northern boundary directly on the Iowa state line, opposite Cincinnati, IA. Once a stop on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, it is now a very small community in a quiet agricultural region.

Lineville

A unique town whose Main Street runs directly along the state line, with businesses on both the Iowa and Missouri sides. A marker in the middle of the street denotes the border, making it a true bi-state community.

Pleasanton

A small Iowa village whose southern edge touches the Missouri border. Founded in 1850, it was once a bustling stagecoach stop. Today, it’s a quiet residential community in the rolling hills of southern Iowa, just north of Mercer County, Missouri.

Cainsville

A northern Missouri town whose city limits just reach the Iowa state line. The community serves the surrounding agricultural area and is known for its annual Cainsville Community Fair, a long-standing tradition featuring local exhibits, food, and entertainment.

Allendale

One of the northernmost towns in Missouri, its northern boundary is the Iowa border. It’s a small, tight-knit farming community and was once home to the Allendale Normal School, a notable educational institution in the late 19th century.

Blockton

A southern Iowa town with its city limits on the Missouri state line. The town’s layout was uniquely designed with a large central park, which still hosts community events. It was a significant railroad town in the late 1800s.

Hopkins

A town in Missouri’s far northwest corner whose northern city limits touch the Iowa border. Hopkins is known for its annual “Hopkins Picnic,” one of the oldest continuing community celebrations in the state, dating back to 1883.

Braddyville

A small town in southwest Iowa whose southern boundary is the Missouri line. It is situated on the Nodaway River and holds an annual “Braddyville Days” celebration. The town is also near the Wabash Trace Nature Trail for outdoor enthusiasts.

Blanchard

A classic border town whose southern city limit is the Missouri state line. Blanchard is famously the birthplace of big band-era celebrity Johnny Carson, though his family moved away when he was three years old. A small monument marks his birthplace.

Hamburg

Located in Iowa’s extreme southwest corner, its western edge is the Missouri River, which forms the state line with Missouri. The town is known for its annual Popcorn Days festival and is a hub for the surrounding Loess Hills agricultural region.

Bordering Towns Between Other States