Origin
Marion, IA
Night in Marion on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Marion, IA to Norwalk, 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 42m
Distance
133.8 mi
215 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marion, IA
Joanna Bogacz
Norwalk, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 133.8-mile drive from Marion, Iowa, to Norwalk, Iowa, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 42 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, it's an economical way to travel within the Midwest. You'll primarily navigate local roads, including parts of Lincoln Highway and Marshalltown Boulevard, with no interstate driving involved. This route offers a more local feel, making it a good option for a relaxed journey. The single stop recommended suggests a straightforward itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.9 miles from Marion, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Highway | 37.3 mi | 43m |
| Marshalltown Boulevard | 33.7 mi | 39m |
| 73rd Street | 24.4 mi | 28m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 14.6 mi | 16m |
| Collins Road Northeast | 11.2 mi | 13m |
| 16th Avenue Southwest | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| County Road G14 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Hubbell Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37.3 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion, IA and Norwalk, 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
34 mi
·
39 min
·
Marshalltown Boulevard
16
Continue on US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
17
Continue on US 6
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Hubbell Avenue
18
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Merge onto US 65
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 96
Toward CR R63: Southwest 9th Street
21
Turn left onto CR R63
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 9th Street
22
Continue on CR R63
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road R63
23
Turn right onto County Road G14
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road G14
24
Continue on CR G14
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North Avenue
25
Turn right onto Main Street
82 ft
·
3 sec
·
Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 42-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 37.3 miles on Lincoln Highway, to ensure a smooth journey. Since this is a local road drive with no interstate segments, plan for potentially slower speeds and more frequent intersections.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.9 miles from Marion, IA, or about 1h 19m 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 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.9 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norwalk, 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 133.8 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Marion, 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 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
67 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.9 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 145 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
$20.92 one way
$41.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.97 | $45.93 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.75 | $51.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.54 | $59.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.05 | $6.42 |
| Efficient EV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.71 | $5.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.5 | 0 | $18.73 | $8.56 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Norwalk, IA
Night in Norwalk on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
25 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
2h 42m 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 on this route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 37.3 miles along Lincoln Highway, offering a consistent pace before transitioning to other local roads like Marshalltown Boulevard and 73rd Street. This isn't a high-speed interstate cruise; rather, it's a drive that keeps you engaged with frequent turns and a more intimate connection to the landscape. The character of the road will likely shift as you move between different local thoroughfares.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 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?
4/10
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
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 42m drive. You will face about 14 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 Norwalk, 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 42m. Total distance: 133.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m 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 Norwalk, 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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