Trip from Pella, IA to Marion, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 21m

Distance

116.5 mi

187 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

2h 11m ★

6 AM

2h 21m

8 AM

2h 41m

10 AM

2h 28m

12 PM

2h 26m

3 PM

2h 29m

5 PM

2h 40m

8 PM

2h 15m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Marion County, Iowa, United States

Pella, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Linn County, Iowa, United States

Marion, IA

Joanna Bogacz

Trip Overview

Traveling between Pella and Marion covers 116.5 miles, a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 21 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $18 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for exploring the Iowa landscape. The path utilizes a combination of I-80, the Avenue of the Saints, and Highway T14 to navigate through the heart of the Midwest. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a reliable connection between these two communities. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that lets you focus on your destination rather than complex navigation.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

58.2 miles from Pella, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	64.7 mi	1h 9m
Avenue of the Saints	21.6 mi	24m
Highway T14	11.5 mi	15m
Highway T22 South	7.2 mi	10m
Highway F62 East	3.2 mi	4m
Main Street	1.6 mi	2m
Oakland Road Northeast	1 mi	1m
Collins Road Northeast	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 64.7 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pella, IA and Marion, IA.

Start on Washington Street

40 ft · 7 sec · Washington Street

Turn right onto CR T14

1.6 mi · 2 min · Main Street

Continue on CR T14

11 mi · 15 min · Highway T14

Turn right onto CR F62

3.2 mi · 4 min · Highway F62 East

Turn left onto CR T22

7.2 mi · 10 min · Highway T22 South

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Merge onto I 80

65 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 80

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27

22 mi · 24 min · Avenue of the Saints

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street

Keep slight right at fork

319 ft · 8 sec

Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast

0.3 mi · 36 sec · 29th Street Northeast

Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast

1.0 mi · 1 min · Oakland Road Northeast

Continue on Old Marion Road Northeast

0.9 mi · 1 min · Old Marion Road Northeast

Turn left onto CR W56

297 ft · 12 sec · C Avenue Northeast

Turn right onto IA 100

0.9 mi · 1 min · Collins Road Northeast

Turn left onto 1st Avenue East

0.1 mi · 22 sec · 1st Avenue East

Continue on Marion Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Marion Boulevard

Continue on US 151 Business

0.3 mi · 45 sec · 7th Avenue

Turn left onto 6th Street

316 ft · 17 sec · 6th Street

Turn right onto 8th Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · 8th Avenue

Arrive at destination

8th Avenue

Trip Plan

Planning your departure is simple given the trip's modest duration, but leaving during off-peak hours can help you maintain a consistent pace. Since the drive is short enough to complete in one sitting, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time to fit your specific schedule. With no mandatory stops required by the length of the journey, you can easily pull over whenever you need a break or a quick refuel. Keep in mind that the longest stretch of 64.7 miles occurs on I-80, so ensure your vehicle is prepared for sustained interstate speeds before you merge. Because this is a relatively quick trip, packing your own snacks and drinks will save you time and keep your travel budget close to that $18 fuel estimate.

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 58.2 miles from Pella, IA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.7 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 26 miles or 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 58.2 miles or 1h 11m 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 53m

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 Pella, 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 Pella, IA

This is one driving day of about 116.5 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Pella, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 64.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Belle Plaine, IA

58 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

Newton, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Belle Plaine, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.2 miles from Pella, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Eva's Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Marion, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 116.5

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13193207702

Visit website

Mikhael's

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

0.4 mi

Czech Town Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

0.6 mi

Eva's Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 116.5

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13193207702

Visit website

Mikhael's

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.2

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13193663644

Visit website

Czech Town Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.2

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13192005776

Visit website

Napoli's Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 116.5

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193772100

Visit website

Cobble Hill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Expensive mile 108.2

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 4:30–9 pm

+13193663177

Visit website

Persis Biryani Indian Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 116.5

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13198262000

Visit website

Rio Burritos

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 116.5

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9:15 pm

+13199815001

Visit website

HuHot Mongolian Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 116.5

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193936000

Visit website

1.1 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 108.2

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 116.5

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 111.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR T14 / Main Street

Turn right onto CR T14 / Main Street

Navigation decision point

88.7 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in

Take the exit toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

89.1 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar...

111.5 mi into trip | ~2h 11m 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...

111.8 mi into trip | ~2h 12m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.21 one way

$36.43 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$20.00	$40.00
premium	$4.89	$22.42	$44.84
diesel	$5.61	$25.72	$51.44

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: 40.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	34.9	$12.23	$5.59
Efficient EV	29.1	$10.19	$4.66
EV Truck/SUV	46.6	$16.31	$7.46

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Pella, IA

Night in Pella on Saturday

Local time

9:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Marion, IA

Night in Marion on Saturday

Local time

9:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Belle Plaine, IA

58 mi in

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

21 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 21m 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 mixed driving experience that transitions between high-speed transit and local navigation. You will spend roughly 56% of your time on highways, providing a balanced feel behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-80, where you will cover 64.7 miles of steady interstate travel. As you shift from the busier segments onto Highway T14 and the Avenue of the Saints, the character of the road changes to reflect the local geography. This variety keeps the drive engaging without becoming overly technical or demanding. By combining fast-paced interstate miles with secondary roads, the route offers a realistic look at the regional infrastructure connecting these central Iowa points.

56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 64.7 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR T14 / Main Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 116.5 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (CR T14 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 88.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

On the drive from Pella, IA to Marion, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Waterloo along the way.

Waterloo

89.1 mi in | ~1h 44m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 116.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (56%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 64.7 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Marion, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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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Trip from Pella, IA to Marion, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Eva's Mexican Restaurant

Eva's Mexican Restaurant

Mikhael's

Czech Town Station

Napoli's Italian Restaurant

Cobble Hill

Persis Biryani Indian Grill

Rio Burritos

HuHot Mongolian Grill

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Pella, IA

Marion, IA

Same local time

21 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 21m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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