How far is Carroll, IA from Marion, IA?

The driving distance from Carroll, IA to Marion, IA is about 174.5 miles (280.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 167.7 miles (269.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 54m 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
174.48 mi
02h 57m
Flight
167.74 mi
269.95 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Carroll.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
167.74 mi
Kilometers
269.95 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
174.48 mi
Kilometers
280.8 km
Drive Time
02h 57m

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 02h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Marion
Tue, May 12, 10:26 PM CDT
Return by in Carroll
Wed, May 13, 1:23 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Carroll
2026-05-12T19:29
Arrive Marion
Tue, May 12, 10:26 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:57 AM to 12:57 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Carroll
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
State Center
IA

City in Marshall County, Iowa, United States of America

From Carroll
87.1 mi
01h 28m
To Marion
87.4 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Today

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 9:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 23 mph W
Destination
81°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    39 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    23 m · 11 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East 6th Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · East 6th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on County Road N33

    10.3 mi · 14 min · County Road N33

  5. 5

    Continue on 220th Street

    44.4 mi · 59 min · 220th Street

  6. 6

    Continue on 230th Street

    77.2 mi · 1 hr 29 min · 230th Street

  7. 7

    Continue on 73rd Street

    26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street

  8. 8

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

    1.6 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    9.4 mi · 11 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Collins Road Northeast

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue East

    717 ft · 22 sec · 1st Avenue East

  12. 12

    Continue on Marion Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min · Marion Boulevard

  13. 13

    Continue on 7th Avenue

    1664 ft · 46 sec · 7th Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 6th Street

    96 m · 18 sec · 6th Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 8th Avenue

    1702 ft · 1 min · 8th Avenue

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
230th Street
77.2 mi · 44%
220th Street
44.4 mi · 25%
73rd Street
26.8 mi · 15%
IA 100 East
10.4 mi · 6%
County Road N33
10.3 mi · 6%
East 6th Street
2.26 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

230th Street

Continue on 230th Street

77.2 mi · 01h 29m

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
02h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.8 mi
167.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
State Center
01h 28m from Carroll
Leave By
12:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Carroll and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny near Marion.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 174.5 miles (280.8 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?

State Center is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.1 miles from Carroll and 87.4 miles from Marion.

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

The direct path is about 167.7 miles (269.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.8 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 12:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.23 one way or $46.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Carroll and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny near Marion.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Carroll and Marion. Straight-line distance: 167.74 mi (269.95 km).

Carroll

#1 Carroll

City in Carroll County, Iowa, United States

Population9,694
Coordinates42.0658200, -94.8669300
Altitude387
CountryUnited States
Marion

#2 Marion

The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.

Population40,780
Coordinates42.0341700, -91.5976800
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Start: (-94.866824, 42.065795)
End: 8th Avenue (-91.59768, 42.03419)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 281 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.16 gal
23.31 L · about $23.23
Round trip
$46.46
12.32 gal · 46.62 L
Estimated CO2
54.7 kg one way
Round trip: 109.5 kg / 241 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.23 $46.46
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.20 $52.40
Premium $4.65 $28.67 $57.34
Diesel $5.30 $32.67 $65.35

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Carroll and Marion. The current time is 19:29:03.

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.