Marion, IA to Red Oak, IA is 240.2 miles and takes about 4h 55m via I 80 and Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest and specifically within Iowa, offering a straightforward drive across the state. The route is a mix of interstate cruising and surface roads, making it a manageable one-day adventure for most travelers. You'll find it's a practical option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two Iowa cities without much fuss.
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
120.1 miles from Marion, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
67.9 mi
1h 13m
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi
43m
Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi
39m
73rd Street
24.4 mi
28m
110 Street
14 mi
20m
US 65
13 mi
15m
Collins Road Northeast
11.2 mi
13m
550th Street
10 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 67.9 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion, IA and Red Oak, 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
0.7 mi·58 sec·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
17
Take the exit onto US 65
13 mi·15 min·US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 80; I 35
5.6 mi·6 min·I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: OmahaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto US 6
0.4 mi·48 sec·US 6
Toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
21
Turn left onto US 6; US 71
6.5 mi·9 min·650th Street
22
Turn right onto US 6; US 71
3.5 mi·6 min·East 7th Street
23
Continue on US 6; IA 83
0.1 mi·20 sec·White Pole Road
24
Continue on US 6
0.6 mi·1 min·West 7th Street
25
Continue on US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·Southwest 7th Street
26
Continue on US 6
8.9 mi·13 min·White Pole Road
27
Turn left onto IA 48
5.3 mi·7 min·550th Street
28
Continue on IA 48
1.0 mi·1 min·Adair Street
29
Continue on IA 48
4.8 mi·7 min·550th Street
30
Continue on IA 48
0.9 mi·1 min·M Avenue
31
Continue on IA 48
14 mi·20 min·110 Street
32
Turn left onto West Hammond Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West Hammond Street
33
Turn right onto North 7th Street
300 ft·15 sec·North 7th Street
34
Turn right onto East Reed Street
329 ft·14 sec·East Reed Street
35
Arrive at destination
East Reed Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 55m estimated drive time, leaving Marion, IA in the morning should allow you to reach Red Oak, IA with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace your journey. The fuel cost is estimated at $38, so ensure you have adequate funds or a working payment method. Pay attention to the transition from I 80 to surface roads; this is where you'll need to adjust your speed and be more aware of local traffic patterns. Since it's a single-day trip, consider bringing snacks and drinks to minimize time spent at rest areas.
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 120.1 miles from Marion, IA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.9 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 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.1 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Red Oak, 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 240.2 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 I 80 for about 67.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 130.7 — 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
7
112.1 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
7
130.7 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.55 one way
$75.11 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.23
$82.46
premium
$4.89
$46.22
$92.45
diesel
$5.61
$53.03
$106.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.1
0
$25.22
$11.53
Efficient EV
60.1
0
$21.02
$9.61
EV Truck/SUV
96.1
1
$33.63
$15.37
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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Marion, IA
Late night
in Marion on Tuesday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Red Oak, IA
Late night
in Red Oak on Tuesday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
3 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
4h 55m 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?
For 34% of this drive, you'll be on I 80, with the longest stretch on this interstate measuring 67.9 miles. The remainder of the trip will involve surface roads, including sections of the Lincoln Highway and Marshalltown Boulevard. Expect a shift in driving pace as you transition from the faster interstate to more local roads, which often means more frequent intersections and a change in scenery. This mixed profile means you'll experience both efficient highway travel and more relaxed cruising.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.9 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 10th Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 240.2 miles you will encounter 16 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: 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.
Between Marion, IA and Red Oak, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown, Des Moines and Audubon.
Marshalltown
12.6 mi in|~16m
Des Moines
77.4 mi in|~1h 31m
Audubon
193 mi in|~3h 42m|via US 6
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 240.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.9 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Red Oak, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
