Estherville, IA to Marion, IA is 239.1 miles and takes about 5h 1m via US 18 and Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive across Iowa, staying within the Midwest region for both departure and arrival. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll find it’s a practical route for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss. It primarily utilizes well-maintained highways, making it a good option for those seeking efficiency.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
119.5 miles from Estherville, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 18
81.7 mi
1h 34m
Avenue of the Saints
52.8 mi
56m
State Highway 9
48.5 mi
1h 9m
Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.7 mi
8m
I 380
6.5 mi
7m
US Highway 169
6.4 mi
8m
430th Street
6.1 mi
9m
400th Street
5.7 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
US 18
— 81.7 mi, about 1h 34m
Traffic on I-380
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,102 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,328
Quietest
2 AM
~74 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Estherville, IA and Marion, IA.
1
Start on IA 4
147 ft·8 sec·South 9th Street
2
Turn right onto IA 9
1.7 mi·2 min·East Central Avenue
3
Continue on IA 9
15 mi·22 min·State Highway 9
4
Continue on IA 9
3.1 mi·4 min·4th Avenue
5
Continue on IA 9
6.1 mi·9 min·430th Street
6
Continue on IA 9
0.7 mi·58 sec·4th Avenue West
7
Continue on IA 9
4.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 9
8
Continue on US 169; IA 9
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 169
9
Continue on IA 9
6.9 mi·9 min·State Highway 9
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on IA 9
0.5 mi·1 min·1st Avenue West
11
Continue on IA 9
16 mi·22 min·State Highway 9
12
Turn right onto US 69; IA 9
2.0 mi·2 min·170th Avenue
13
Turn left onto CR A38
5.7 mi·7 min·400th Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto CR R74
246 ft·3 sec·225th Avenue
15
Continue on CR R74
5.1 mi·7 min·230th Avenue
16
Turn left onto IA 9
5.0 mi·6 min·State Highway 9
17
Continue on IA 9
1.2 mi·1 min·350th Street
18
Continue on IA 9
1.1 mi·1 min·Evergreen Avenue
19
Continue on IA 9
0.5 mi·40 sec·360th Street
20
Continue on IA 9
0.5 mi·38 sec·North Street
21
Continue on IA 9
0.8 mi·1 min·State Highway 9
22
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
23
Merge onto I 35; IA 27
12 mi·13 min·Avenue of the Saints
24
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27
0.4 mi·26 sec·US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
25
Turn slight right onto US 18; IA 27
81 mi·1 hr 34 min·US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
26
Take the exit
317 ft·7 sec
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
27
Continue on US 218
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 218
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
28
Merge onto US 218
6.7 mi·8 min·Leo P Rooff Expressway
29
Continue on US 218
2.4 mi·3 min·Washington Street
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
6.5 mi·7 min·I 380
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
41 mi·43 min·Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward IA 100
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·19 sec
34
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·27 sec
Toward IA 100
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
36
Turn left
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 east: Waterloo, MarionUse the straight lane.
37
Merge onto IA 100
0.3 mi·29 sec·Collins Road Northeast
38
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100
1.8 mi·2 min·Collins Road Northeast
39
Turn left onto 1st Avenue East
0.1 mi·22 sec·1st Avenue East
40
Continue on Marion Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Marion Boulevard
41
Continue on US 151 Business
0.3 mi·45 sec·7th Avenue
42
Turn left onto 6th Street
316 ft·17 sec·6th Street
43
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·8th Avenue
44
Arrive at destination
8th Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving Estherville in the morning is ideal, allowing you to reach Marion with plenty of daylight. Since it's recommended for a single day, you can be flexible with your timing and any brief stops. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 81.7-mile stretch on US 18, as services might be less frequent in some rural areas. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and refuel if needed. The transition from highway to state roads will be your primary cue for increased attention.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 119.5 miles from Estherville, IA, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.7 miles.
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 53 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.5 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 10m
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 Estherville, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Estherville, IA
This is one driving day of about 239.1 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Estherville, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 18 for about 81.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 186.9 and 234.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
186.9 mi into trip|~4h in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids,...
6
193.5 mi into trip|~4h 7m in|I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
6
234.5 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IA 100
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward IA 100
7
234.8 mi into trip|~4h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
7
234.9 mi into trip|~4h 53m in
Turn left toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 east: Waterloo, Marion
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 east: W...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.31 one way
$70.62 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.98
$77.96
premium
$4.72
$44.39
$88.79
diesel
$4.80
$45.15
$90.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.7
0
$25.11
$11.48
Efficient EV
59.8
0
$20.92
$9.56
EV Truck/SUV
95.6
1
$33.47
$15.30
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Estherville, IA
Late night
in Estherville on Sunday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
NNE 9 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Marion, IA
Late night
in Marion on Sunday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
NW 10 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
84°F
Nashua, IA
120 mi in
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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 1m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 63% of the drive on roads like US 18 and Avenue of the Saints. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 81.7 miles on US 18, offering a good amount of uninterrupted cruising. As you transition off the main highways, expect more typical state road driving. The overall feel is one of steady progress, with the highway sections providing a consistent pace.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.7 mi on US 18.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 18 and Avenue of the Saints. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 186.9 miles in near I 380.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 239.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 186.9 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.5 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 234.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,298 ft778 ft
Total Climb
265 ft
Total Descent
715 ft
Highest Point
1,298 ft
Elevation Range
520 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Estherville, IA and Marion, IA, road signs point toward Charles City, Dubuque and Cedar Falls.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 239.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.7 miles on US 18. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Marion, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 186.9 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.5 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 234.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Marion, IA before the return drive.
