Origin
Altoona, IA
Night in Altoona on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altoona, IA to Marion, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 55m
Distance
113 mi
182 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 47m
★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 12m
10 AM
2h 1m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 11m
8 PM
1h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altoona, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Marion, IA
Joanna Bogacz
Trip Overview
This 113-mile journey from Altoona, IA to Marion, IA is a straightforward, one-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes to complete. With no highway driving involved, you'll navigate primarily local roads like 1st Avenue North, Northeast 72nd Street, and Grant Street South. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $17, making it an economical option for a quick excursion. Given its short duration and local road profile, this route is perfectly suited for a single day of travel within the Midwest region. It offers a chance to experience Iowa's local thoroughfares without the demands of interstate speeds.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.5 miles from Altoona, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Avenue North | — | — |
| Northeast 72nd Street | — | — |
| Grant Street South | — | — |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | — | — |
| Lincoln Highway | — | — |
| 73rd Street | — | — |
| IA 100 East | — | — |
| Collins Road Northeast | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
1st Avenue North
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, IA and Marion, IA.
1
Start on 1st Avenue South
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue South
2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 1st Avenue North
108 ft
·
2 sec
·
1st Avenue North
3
Exit the roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue North
4
Continue on Northeast 72nd Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Northeast 72nd Street
5
Continue on Grant Street South
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Grant Street South
6
Continue on Grant Street South
135 ft
·
8 sec
·
Grant Street South
7
Turn right onto Northeast Hubbell Road
32 mi
·
37 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
8
Take the exit right
0.5 mi
·
1 min
9
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Lincoln Highway
10
Continue on 73rd Street
27 mi
·
30 min
·
73rd Street
11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
12
Continue straight
9.4 mi
·
11 min
13
Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Collins Road Northeast
14
Turn left onto 1st Avenue East
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
1st Avenue East
15
Continue on Marion Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Marion Boulevard
16
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
7th Avenue
17
Turn left onto 6th Street
315 ft
·
18 sec
·
6th Street
18
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
8th Avenue
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
For this 113-mile drive, departing whenever you're ready is feasible due to its short duration and lack of highway cruising. With no designated stops and a quick 1 hour and 55 minute estimated travel time, you have flexibility to add breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $17 estimated cost is based on continuous travel; stops for gas might be necessary depending on your vehicle's efficiency. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the changing street names and local traffic signals, especially when transitioning between 1st Avenue North, Northeast 72nd Street, and Grant Street South, as these are the primary arteries guiding you.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.5 miles from Altoona, IA, or about 57m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 25 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.5 miles or 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marion, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Altoona, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Altoona, IA
This is one driving day of about 113 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Altoona, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.5 miles from Altoona, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.67 one way
$35.33 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.40 | $38.79 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.75 | $43.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.95 | $49.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.9 | 0 | $11.86 | $5.42 |
| Efficient EV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.89 | $4.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.82 | $7.23 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Marion, IA
Night in Marion on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
20 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 55m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 113-mile route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and residential areas for the full 1 hour and 55 minutes. There isn't a 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving to highlight, so be prepared for frequent changes in speed limits and a more engaged driving experience. The road conditions will likely vary as you transition between different local streets, requiring your full attention throughout the trip.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: 1st Avenue North.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Altoona, IA to Marion, IA is easy. At 1h 55m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Altoona, IA to Marion, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 113 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Altoona, IA to Marion, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Marion, IA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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