Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Marion, IA to Storm Lake, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 13m
Distance
213.7 mi
344 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 0m
★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 40m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 20m
3 PM
4h 24m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marion, IA
Joanna Bogacz
Storm Lake, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Marion, IA to Storm Lake, IA is 213.7 miles and takes about 4h 13m via Avenue of the Saints and US 71, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest region on mostly surface roads. It's a straightforward drive that doesn't require overnighting, making it a good option for a single-day excursion. Plan for a direct trip with minimal complexity.
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
106.8 miles from Marion, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 194.3 mi | 3h 41m |
| US 71 | 11.3 mi | 15m |
| US 71 Business | 3.1 mi | 7m |
| Collins Road Northeast | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Marion Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Grand Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 1st Avenue East | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 194.3 mi, about 3h 41m
Traffic on I-380
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,112 veh/hr typical · worst 1,382
Quietest
2 AM
~75 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Marion, IA and Storm Lake, 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
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Collins Road Northeast
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north: Waterloo
12
Keep slight left at fork
286 ft
·
7 sec
13
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
this road
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Waterloo
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
47 mi
·
50 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
148 mi
·
2 hr 50 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
16
Take the exit onto US 71
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
US 71
Toward IA 471 South, US 71 NORTH: Early, Storm Lake
17
Turn right onto US 71
11 mi
·
14 min
·
US 71
18
Turn left onto US 71 Business; IA 7
3.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 71 Business; IA 7
19
Continue on Grand Avenue
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Grand Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this is a 4h 13m drive, leaving Marion, IA in the morning allows ample time to reach Storm Lake, IA before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $33, flexibility is key. You can easily break up the 213.7 miles as needed, perhaps stopping around the 194.3-mile mark on Avenue of the Saints. Watch for the transition from highway to surface roads around the end of the Avenue of the Saints portion to adjust your speed and awareness accordingly.
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 106.8 miles from Marion, IA, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 194.3 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.8 miles or 2h 3m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Storm Lake, 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 213.7 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 194.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.8 miles from Marion, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 194.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Casey's General Store
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 4.1 — 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
3.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
6
4.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-380 north, IA 27 north: Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north: Waterloo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.65 one way
$71.30 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $38.74 | $77.49 |
| premium | $5.26 | $44.25 | $88.49 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $51.99 | $103.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.1 | 0 | $22.44 | $10.26 |
| Efficient EV | 53.4 | 0 | $18.70 | $8.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.5 | 1 | $29.92 | $13.68 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Marion, IA
Morning in Marion on Sunday
Local time
8:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
SW 0 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:49AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:49AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Destination
Storm Lake, IA
Morning in Storm Lake on Sunday
Local time
8:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
SSW 10 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:49AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:49AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
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 13m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll cover 213.7 miles, with 7% on highways. The longest continuous stretch on Avenue of the Saints is 194.3 miles. After this, you'll transition to surface roads, including US 71 Business, for the remainder of the trip. Expect a significant portion of your drive to be on non-highway routes, so keep an eye out for lower speed limits and local traffic.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 194.3 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 13 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 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 213.7 miles you will encounter 13 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,420 ft
828 ft
Total Climb
720 ft
Total Descent
148 ft
Highest Point
1,420 ft
~213.7 mi in
Elevation Range
592 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Marion, IA
Full guide →Founded 1839
Top landmarks
- • Douglas and Charlotte Grant House — historic house in Iowa, United States
- • Joseph P. Mentzer House — historic building located in Marion, Iowa, United States
- • Marion Commercial Historic District — historic district in Iowa, United States
Arriving in Storm Lake, IA
Full guide →Founded 1873
Storm Lake is a small city of about 10,600 inhabitants in northern Western Iowa.
Top landmarks
- • Illinois Central Passenger Depot-Storm Lake — railway station in Storm Lake, Iowa
- • Harker House — house in Storm Lake, Iowa, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 213.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m 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 194.3 miles on Avenue of the Saints. 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.
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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Storm Lake, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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