Trip from Fort Madison, 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

2h 23m

Distance

117 mi

188 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

2h 14m ★

6 AM

2h 23m

8 AM

2h 43m

10 AM

2h 30m

12 PM

2h 28m

3 PM

2h 31m

5 PM

2h 42m

8 PM

2h 18m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city and county seat in Lee County, Iowa, United States

Fort Madison, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Linn County, Iowa, United States

Marion, IA

Joanna Bogacz

Trip Overview

This 118.2-mile journey from Fort Madison, IA to Marion, IA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 1 minute to complete. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with a 0% highway share, making it a direct, turn-heavy drive. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $18, which is quite reasonable for the distance covered. Given its relatively short duration and local road focus, this trip offers flexibility for when you depart and how you pace yourself. It's a straightforward drive connecting two points within the Midwest region of Iowa.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

58.5 miles from Fort Madison, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Avenue of the Saints	98.4 mi	1h 53m
IA 2	8.3 mi	11m
Avenue O	2.1 mi	3m
Avenue L	1.3 mi	2m
Oakland Road Northeast	1 mi	1m
Avenue H	1 mi	1m
Collins Road Northeast	0.9 mi	1m
Old Marion Road Northeast	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 98.4 mi, about 1h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Madison, IA and Marion, IA.

Start on this road

61 ft · 7 sec · this road

Turn right onto Avenue I

139 ft · 11 sec · Avenue I

Turn left onto US 61 Business

1.0 mi · 1 min · Avenue H

Turn left onto US 61 Business

0.2 mi · 21 sec · 20th Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 61 Business

1.3 mi · 2 min · Avenue L

Continue on US 61 Business

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Old Highway 61

Continue on US 61 Business

2.1 mi · 3 min · Avenue O

Turn straight onto IA 2

8.3 mi · 11 min · IA 2

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Merge onto US 218; IA 27

25 mi · 28 min · Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left at fork onto US 218; IA 27

74 mi · 1 hr 24 min · Avenue of the Saints

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street

Keep slight right at fork

319 ft · 8 sec

Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast

0.3 mi · 36 sec · 29th Street Northeast

Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast

1.0 mi · 1 min · Oakland Road Northeast

Continue on Old Marion Road Northeast

0.9 mi · 1 min · Old Marion Road Northeast

Turn left onto CR W56

297 ft · 12 sec · C Avenue Northeast

Turn right onto IA 100

0.9 mi · 1 min · Collins Road Northeast

Turn left onto 1st Avenue East

0.1 mi · 22 sec · 1st Avenue East

Continue on Marion Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Marion Boulevard

Continue on US 151 Business

0.3 mi · 45 sec · 7th Avenue

Turn left onto 6th Street

316 ft · 17 sec · 6th Street

Turn right onto 8th Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · 8th Avenue

Arrive at destination

8th Avenue

Trip Plan

With a total duration of just over 2 hours, this 118.2-mile drive from Fort Madison to Marion is ideal for a spontaneous day trip. You can leave whenever is most convenient, as there are no long highway stretches to necessitate an early start. Since there are no specified stops on this route and the drive is short, you can easily adjust your pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $18, and it's always wise to top off before heading out, especially on local roads where fuel availability can vary. A specific tip for this route would be to familiarize yourself with the main roads mentioned – Avenue I, Avenue H, and 20th Street – as they are central to navigating the turn-heavy nature of this drive.

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 58.5 miles from Fort Madison, IA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.4 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 26 miles or 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 58.5 miles or 1h 11m 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 55m

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 Fort Madison, 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 Fort Madison, IA

This is one driving day of about 117 miles and 2h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Fort Madison, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 98.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Riverside, IA

59 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

Mount Pleasant, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Washington, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.5 miles from Fort Madison, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Café by Country Kitchen

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marion, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 117

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13193778627

Visit website

Eva's Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Marion, Iowa

0.2 mi

Mikhael's

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

0.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Café Saint Pio

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.6

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13192001000

Groundswell Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1 mi

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1 mi

Café by Country Kitchen

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 117

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13193778627

Visit website

Eva's Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 117

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13193207702

Visit website

Mikhael's

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13193663644

Visit website

Lucky's on 16th

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13192004590

Visit website

Czech Town Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13192005776

Visit website

Cedar Ridge Distillery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 100.3

Swisher, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13198574300

Visit website

Brewhemia

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+13193640802

Visit website

Napoli's Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 117

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193772100

Visit website

Café Saint Pio

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13192001000

Groundswell Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13192002791

Visit website

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 108.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13192003218

Visit website

Midnight Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 91.9

Tiffin, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13196262272

Visit website

Roasters Coffeehouse NewBo

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 108.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Veritas Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 108.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+13192083192

1.1 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 108.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 117

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Barrel House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 91.9

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13196262550

Visit website

Bistro at Blooms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 117

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2:30 pm

+13194499996

Visit website

Field Day Brewing Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 91.9

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+13192082154

Visit website

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 91.9

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13196255568

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 112.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Avenue I

Turn right onto Avenue I

Navigation decision point

1 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 61 Business / 20th Street

Turn left onto US 61 Business / 20th Street

Navigation decision point

1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 61 Business / Avenue L

At end of road, turn right onto US 61 Business / Avenue L

Navigation decision point

112.1 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in

Take the exit toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29t...

112.4 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.29 one way

$36.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$20.08	$40.17
premium	$4.89	$22.52	$45.03
diesel	$5.61	$25.83	$51.66

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: 40.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	35.1	$12.29	$5.62
Efficient EV	29.3	$10.24	$4.68
EV Truck/SUV	46.8	$16.38	$7.49

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Fort Madison, IA

Night in Fort Madison on Saturday

Local time

11:23 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Marion, IA

Night in Marion on Saturday

Local time

11:23 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

72°F

Riverside, IA

59 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

24 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

2h 23m 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 118.2-mile route, as there's no highway percentage to speak of. You'll be spending your time on roads like Avenue I, Avenue H, and 20th Street, which means you'll be navigating through towns and local areas for much of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests frequent intersections and changes in direction rather than long, open stretches. This character means you'll likely experience a variety of speed limits and road conditions as you move from one local road to another.

Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 98.4 mi on Avenue of the Saints.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Avenue I.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 117 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Avenue I): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 61 Business / 20th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (US 61 Business / Avenue L): Navigation decision point.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 117 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (7%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 98.4 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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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Explore more options from Fort Madison, IA or browse trips ending in Marion, IA.

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Trip from Fort Madison, IA to Marion, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Café by Country Kitchen

Café Saint Pio

Café by Country Kitchen

Eva's Mexican Restaurant

Mikhael's

Lucky's on 16th

Czech Town Station

Cedar Ridge Distillery

Brewhemia

Napoli's Italian Restaurant

Café Saint Pio

Groundswell Cafe

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

Midnight Coffee

Roasters Coffeehouse NewBo

Veritas Cafe

Trading Grounds

Opus Concert Cafe

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

ChargeLab Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Barrel House

Bistro at Blooms

Field Day Brewing Co.

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Fort Madison, IA

Marion, IA

Same local time

24 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 23m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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