How far is Iowa City, IA from Marshalltown, IA?

The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Marshalltown, IA is about 92.2 miles (148.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 75.8 miles (122 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 14m 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
92.23 mi
01h 37m
Flight
75.81 mi
122.01 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Iowa City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
75.81 mi
Kilometers
122.01 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
92.23 mi
Kilometers
148.43 km
Drive Time
01h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Marshalltown
Thu, Apr 23, 4:09 AM CDT
Return by in Iowa City
Thu, Apr 23, 5:46 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa City
2026-04-23T02:31
Arrive Marshalltown
Thu, Apr 23, 4:09 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:37 AM to 11:37 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Iowa City
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
Van Horne
IA

Human settlement in Benton County, Iowa, United States of America

From Iowa City
46.2 mi
00h 48m
To Marshalltown
46 mi
00h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 25 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Marshalltown.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Marshalltown.

  1. 1

    Start on South Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · South Gilbert Street

  2. 2

    Turn slight left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 22 sec · Kimball Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  4. 4

    Turn left

    2315 ft · 59 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    4.1 mi · 5 min

  6. 6

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

    1850 ft · 45 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

    3219 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    16 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 151 South, US 218 North: Tama

    33.7 mi · 40 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    31.8 mi · 37 min · Lincoln Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    1884 ft · 48 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South Center Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · South Center Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East Anson Street

    1329 ft · 30 sec · East Anson Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South 3rd Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · South 3rd Avenue

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 3rd Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Marshalltown.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 30 West
33.7 mi · 37%
Lincoln Highway
32.1 mi · 35%
Avenue of the Saints
16 mi · 17%
North Dubuque Street
5.22 mi · 6%
South Center Street
2.32 mi · 3%
I 380
0.96 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 30 West

Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 151 South, US 218 North: Tama

33.7 mi · 00h 40m

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 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.4 mi
75.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Van Horne
00h 48m from Iowa City
Leave By
3:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Iowa City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Marshalltown.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Marshalltown?

The road trip is about 92.2 miles (148.4 km) and usually takes 01h 37m 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?

Van Horne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.2 miles from Iowa City and 46 miles from Marshalltown.

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

The direct path is about 75.8 miles (122 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 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 3:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.26 one way or $24.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Iowa City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Marshalltown.

Stop Ideas Near Van Horne

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Van Horne, 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 Van Horne.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

113 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Marshalltown. Straight-line distance: 75.81 mi (122.01 km).

Iowa City

#1 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

Population75,130
Coordinates41.6611300, -91.5301700
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Marshalltown

#2 Marshalltown

City in Marshal County, Iowa

Population26,736
Coordinates42.0494300, -92.9079800
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)
End: North 3rd Avenue (-92.908043, 42.04943)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 148 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.25 gal
12.32 L · about $12.26
Round trip
$24.51
6.5 gal · 24.64 L
Estimated CO2
28.9 kg one way
Round trip: 57.8 kg / 127 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.26 $24.51
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.82 $27.64
Premium $4.65 $15.13 $30.25
Diesel $5.30 $17.24 $34.48

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Iowa City and Marshalltown. The current time is 02:31:49.

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.