Origin
Marion, IA
Late night in Marion on Tuesday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Marion, IA to Altoona, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 15m
Distance
113.1 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
2h 6m
★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 23m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marion, IA
Joanna Bogacz
Altoona, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 113.1-mile journey from Marion, IA to Altoona, IA takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll navigate local roads for the entirety of the drive, with no highway time involved, and can expect a fuel cost of around $17. The route is entirely within the Midwest region, staying within Iowa. Given its relatively short duration and local road nature, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. It's a straightforward drive that doesn't require extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.6 miles from Marion, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Highway | 37.3 mi | 43m |
| Marshalltown Boulevard | 32.2 mi | 37m |
| 73rd Street | 24.4 mi | 28m |
| Collins Road Northeast | 11.2 mi | 13m |
| 16th Avenue Southwest | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| 1st Avenue North | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Grant Street South | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Marion Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37.3 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion, IA and Altoona, IA.
1
Start on 8th Avenue
445 ft
·
22 sec
·
8th Avenue
2
Turn left onto 10th Street
322 ft
·
12 sec
·
10th Street
3
Turn right onto US 151 Business
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
7th Avenue
4
Enter roundabout
103 ft
·
4 sec
5
Continue
130 ft
·
5 sec
6
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
7th Avenue
7
Continue on US 151 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Marion Boulevard
8
Continue on US 151 Business
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
1st Avenue East
9
Turn right onto IA 100
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Collins Road Northeast
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
11
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Avenue Southwest
12
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi
·
28 min
·
73rd Street
13
Continue on US 30
37 mi
·
43 min
·
Lincoln Highway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
15
Turn left onto IA 330
32 mi
·
37 min
·
Marshalltown Boulevard
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
17
Turn left onto Grant Street South
176 ft
·
7 sec
·
Grant Street South
18
At end of road, turn right onto Grant Street South
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Grant Street South
19
Continue on Northeast 72nd Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Northeast 72nd Street
20
Continue on 1st Avenue North
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue North
Use the left lane.
21
Enter roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
94 ft
·
1 sec
·
1st Avenue North
22
Continue on 1st Avenue North
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue North
23
Arrive at destination
1st Avenue South
Trip Plan
With a total duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes, this 113.1-mile route offers plenty of flexibility for when you depart. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid rush hour and allow for a relaxed pace. Since there are no designated stops and the drive is relatively short, you can easily handle it in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $17, and plan for any necessary breaks as you navigate the numerous turns on local roads. A good tip is to have your GPS or map app ready, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests frequent adjustments.
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 56.6 miles from Marion, IA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 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 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.6 miles or 1h 7m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altoona, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Marion, 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 Marion, IA
This is one driving day of about 113.1 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Marion, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Lincoln Highway for about 37.3 miles.
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 56.6 miles from Marion, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 77.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
10th Street
Turn left onto 10th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 151 Business / 7th Avenue
Turn right onto US 151 Business / 7th Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
12.6 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshall...
5
77.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.68 one way
$35.36 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.41 | $38.83 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.77 | $43.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.97 | $49.94 |
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: 39.6 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 | $11.88 | $5.43 |
| Efficient EV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.90 | $4.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.83 | $7.24 |
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
Altoona, IA
Late night in Altoona on Tuesday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
1 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 15m 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 this entire 113.1-mile trip. With a 0% highway share, you'll be primarily on streets like 10th Street and 7th Avenue, experiencing a more connected-to-the-ground feel than a highway cruise. There isn't a designated 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving, suggesting a frequent need for navigation and attention to local traffic. The character of the drive will likely involve passing through various community settings as you make your way across Iowa.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.3 mi on Lincoln Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 10th Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 15m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 151 Business / 7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Marion, IA and Altoona, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
Marshalltown
12.6 mi in
|
~16m
Des Moines
77.4 mi in
|
~1h 31m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 113.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.3 miles on Lincoln Highway. 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 151 Business / 7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Altoona, 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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