How far is Altoona, IA from Marion, IA?

The driving distance from Altoona, IA to Marion, IA is about 113 miles (181.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.8 miles (160.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
113.03 mi
01h 55m
Flight
99.81 mi
160.63 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Altoona.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
99.81 mi
Kilometers
160.63 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
113.03 mi
Kilometers
181.91 km
Drive Time
01h 55m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Marion
Sun, Apr 12, 12:48 PM CDT
Return by in Altoona
Sun, Apr 12, 2:43 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Altoona
2026-04-12T10:53
Arrive Marion
Sun, Apr 12, 12:48 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:55 AM to 11:55 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Altoona
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Toledo
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Altoona
56.5 mi
00h 57m
To Marion
56.6 mi
00h 57m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 22 mph SSW
Destination
71°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Altoona and Marion.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Altoona and Marion.

  1. 1

    Start on 1st Avenue South

    1.6 km · 2 min · 1st Avenue South

  2. 2

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 1st Avenue North

    33 m · 2 sec · 1st Avenue North

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto 1st Avenue North

    3028 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue North

  4. 4

    Continue on Northeast 72nd Street

    767 ft · 15 sec · Northeast 72nd Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Grant Street South

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Grant Street South

  6. 6

    Continue on Grant Street South

    41 m · 8 sec · Grant Street South

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Northeast Hubbell Road

    32.1 mi · 37 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  8. 8

    Take the exit right

    2792 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway

    37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on 73rd Street

    26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

    1.6 km · 2 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    9.4 mi · 11 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Collins Road Northeast

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue East

    717 ft · 22 sec · 1st Avenue East

  15. 15

    Continue on Marion Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min · Marion Boulevard

  16. 16

    Continue on 7th Avenue

    1664 ft · 46 sec · 7th Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto 6th Street

    96 m · 18 sec · 6th Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 8th Avenue

    1702 ft · 1 min · 8th Avenue

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Altoona and Marion.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 33%
Northeast Hubbell Road
32.6 mi · 29%
73rd Street
26.8 mi · 24%
IA 100 East
10.4 mi · 9%
Collins Road Northeast
1.82 mi · 2%
Grant Street South
1.32 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Lincoln Highway

Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway

37 mi · 00h 43m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.2 mi
99.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Toledo
00h 57m from Altoona
Leave By
2:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Altoona and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Marion.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Altoona to Marion?

The road trip is about 113 miles (181.9 km) and usually takes 01h 55m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Toledo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.5 miles from Altoona and 56.6 miles from Marion.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 99.8 miles (160.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.05 one way or $30.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Altoona and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Marion.

Stop Ideas Near Toledo

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Toledo, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Toledo.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

109 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Altoona and Marion. Straight-line distance: 99.81 mi (160.63 km).

Altoona

#1 Altoona

City in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Population19,503
Coordinates41.6441600, -93.4646600
Altitude291
CountryUnited States
Marion

#2 Marion

The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.

Population40,780
Coordinates42.0341700, -91.5976800
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Start: 1st Avenue South (-93.464583, 41.64416)
End: 8th Avenue (-91.59768, 42.03419)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 182 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.99 gal
15.1 L · about $15.05
Round trip
$30.09
7.98 gal · 30.2 L
Estimated CO2
35.5 kg one way
Round trip: 70.9 kg / 156 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.05 $30.09
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.97 $33.94
Premium $4.65 $18.57 $37.14
Diesel $5.30 $21.16 $42.33

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Iowa · Apr 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Altoona and Marion. The current time is 10:53:02.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.