How far is Charles City, IA from Marion, IA?
The driving distance from Charles City, IA to Marion, IA is about 104.7 miles (168.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 89.9 miles (144.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 47m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charles City and Marion.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charles City and Marion.
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1
Start on 4th Avenue
9 m · 3 sec · 4th Avenue
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2
Continue on Brantingham Street
1847 ft · 1 min · Brantingham Street
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3
Turn left onto Gilbert Street
117 m · 11 sec · Gilbert Street
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4
Continue on South Grand Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · South Grand Avenue
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5
Continue on Shadow Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · Shadow Avenue
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6
Take the ramp left
1705 ft · 42 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
41.2 mi · 48 min · Avenue of the Saints
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo
97 m · 8 sec
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9
Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo
1625 ft · 40 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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11
Continue on Washington Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · Washington Street
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
6.5 mi · 8 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints
40.7 mi · 44 min · Avenue of the Saints
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100
1286 ft · 31 sec
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15
Keep slight left
802 ft · 20 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on IA 100
1460 ft · 28 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
564 ft · 17 sec
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18
Turn left onto I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 east: Waterloo, Marion
3094 ft · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Collins Road Northeast
1663 ft · 30 sec · Collins Road Northeast
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast
1.8 mi · 2 min · Collins Road Northeast
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21
Turn left onto 1st Avenue East
717 ft · 22 sec · 1st Avenue East
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22
Continue on Marion Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Marion Boulevard
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23
Continue on 7th Avenue
1664 ft · 46 sec · 7th Avenue
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24
Turn left onto 6th Street
96 m · 18 sec · 6th Street
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25
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
1702 ft · 1 min · 8th Avenue
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charles City and Marion.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
41.2 mi · 00h 48m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Charles City and Partly Sunny then 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 Charles City to Marion?
The road trip is about 104.7 miles (168.5 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?
Evansdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.6 miles from Charles City and 52.1 miles from Marion.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 89.9 miles (144.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 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 2:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.95 one way or $27.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Charles City and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Marion.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charles City and Marion. Straight-line distance: 89.88 mi (144.65 km).
#1 Charles City
City in Iowa
| Population | 7,307 |
| Coordinates | 43.0663600, -92.6724100 |
| Altitude | 307 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Marion
The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.
| Population | 40,780 |
| Coordinates | 42.0341700, -91.5976800 |
| Altitude | 259 |
| Country | United States |
End: 8th Avenue (-91.59768, 42.03419)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 169 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.95 | $27.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.74 | $31.47 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $17.22 | $34.44 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $19.62 | $39.25 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.