Origin
Mount Pleasant, IA
Night in Mount Pleasant on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Pleasant, 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
1h 39m
Distance
80.1 mi
129 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 32m
★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Pleasant, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Marion, IA
Joanna Bogacz
Trip Overview
Mount Pleasant, IA to Marion, IA is 80.1 miles and takes about 1h 39m via Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest, specifically traversing Iowa for its entirety. Expect a rather turn-heavy local drive, which means you won't be on a high-speed highway for most of the trip. It's a manageable distance, making it ideal for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed. Consider this drive if you prefer a more connected-to-the-landscape experience over pure speed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40 miles from Mount Pleasant, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 71.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| Iowa Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| North Broadway Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Oakland Road Northeast | 1 mi | 1m |
| Collins Road Northeast | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Old Marion Road Northeast | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Marion Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Jefferson Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 71.7 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Pleasant, IA and Marion, IA.
1
Start on South White Street
58 ft
·
4 sec
·
South White Street
2
Turn right onto West Warren Street
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
·
West Warren Street
3
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jefferson Street
4
Continue on North Broadway Street
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Broadway Street
5
Continue on Iowa Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Iowa Avenue
6
Turn left onto US 218; IA 27
72 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
8
Keep slight right at fork
319 ft
·
8 sec
9
Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
29th Street Northeast
10
Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Oakland Road Northeast
11
Continue on Old Marion Road Northeast
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Marion Road Northeast
12
Turn left onto CR W56
297 ft
·
12 sec
·
C Avenue Northeast
13
Turn right onto IA 100
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Collins Road Northeast
14
Turn left onto 1st Avenue East
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
1st Avenue East
15
Continue on Marion Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Marion Boulevard
16
Continue on US 151 Business
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
7th Avenue
17
Turn left onto 6th Street
316 ft
·
17 sec
·
6th Street
18
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
8th Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
8th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 39m duration and 80.1-mile length, this is definitely a same-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Starting earlier in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the drive and explore your destination in Marion, IA. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, keeping your tank topped off should be straightforward, but it's always wise to check your fuel gauge before departing Mount Pleasant, IA. Pay close attention to posted speed limits and traffic signals, especially during the 'turn-heavy' local portions of this route.
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 40 miles from Mount Pleasant, IA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.7 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40 miles or 49m 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 21m
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 Mount Pleasant, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mount Pleasant, IA
This is one driving day of about 80.1 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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 71.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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 71.7 miles.
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 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 75.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Warren Street
Turn right onto West Warren Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Jefferson Street
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
5
75.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m 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...
5
75.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
75.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
Oakland Road Northeast
Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.52 one way
$25.05 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.75 | $27.50 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.41 | $30.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.69 | $35.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24 | 0 | $8.41 | $3.84 |
| Efficient EV | 20 | 0 | $7.01 | $3.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32 | 0 | $11.21 | $5.13 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Marion, IA
Night in Marion on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 39m 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?
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with 0% highway share, meaning you'll primarily navigate local roads and city streets. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 71.7 miles along Avenue of the Saints, offering a significant segment without frequent turns. As you progress, you'll experience a more intimate journey through Iowa's landscape, rather than a rapid interstate transit. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience with numerous intersections and changes in speed limits as you move through different communities on Iowa Avenue and North Broadway Street.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.7 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
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 early in the drive near West Warren 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 1h 39m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Warren Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 75.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
On the drive from Mount Pleasant, IA to Marion, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Coldstream along the way.
Coldstream
75.1 mi in
|
~1h 29m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 80.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m 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 71.7 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Warren Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 75.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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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