How far is Marion, IA from Charles City, IA?
The driving distance from Marion, IA to Charles City, IA is about 104.6 miles (168.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 89.9 miles (144.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 10m 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 02h 05m.
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.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Marion and Charles City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion and Charles City.
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1
Start on 8th Avenue
136 m · 23 sec · 8th Avenue
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2
Turn left onto 10th Street
98 m · 13 sec · 10th Street
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3
Turn right onto 7th Avenue
880 ft · 22 sec · 7th Avenue
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
31 m · 4 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
40 m · 6 sec
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6
Continue on 7th Avenue
1828 ft · 48 sec · 7th Avenue
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7
Continue on Marion Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Marion Boulevard
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8
Continue on 1st Avenue East
621 ft · 19 sec · 1st Avenue East
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9
Turn right onto Collins Road Northeast
2.2 mi · 3 min · Collins Road Northeast
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
2548 ft · 1 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, IA 27 north: Waterloo
2156 ft · 42 sec
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12
Keep slight left
87 m · 7 sec
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13
Continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Waterloo
1093 ft · 27 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
46.6 mi · 51 min · Avenue of the Saints
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
5.6 mi · 8 min
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16
Continue on West Washington Expressway
1293 ft · 18 sec · West Washington Expressway
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17
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.1 km · 52 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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18
Continue on West Washington Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Washington Street
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19
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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20
Take the exit slight right
1309 ft · 32 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
2382 ft · 58 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
40.7 mi · 47 min · Avenue of the Saints
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23
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, US 218 Business, CR T64: Charles City, New Hampton
2121 ft · 53 sec
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24
Turn right onto Shadow Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · Shadow Avenue
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25
Continue on South Grand Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · South Grand Avenue
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26
Continue on Gilbert Street
117 m · 15 sec · Gilbert Street
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27
Turn right onto Brantingham Street
1878 ft · 57 sec · Brantingham Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 4th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Marion and Charles City.
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
46.6 mi · 00h 51m
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.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Marion and Showers And Thunderstorms near Charles City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Marion to Charles City?
The road trip is about 104.6 miles (168.4 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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 52.3 miles from Marion and 52.3 miles from Charles City.
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 14.7 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 2:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.91 one way or $27.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Marion and Showers And Thunderstorms near Charles City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Marion and Charles City. Straight-line distance: 89.88 mi (144.65 km).
#1 Marion
The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.
| Population | 40,780 |
| Coordinates | 42.0341700, -91.5976800 |
| Altitude | 259 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charles City
City in Iowa
| Population | 7,307 |
| Coordinates | 43.0663600, -92.6724100 |
| Altitude | 307 |
| Country | United States |
End: Charles City (-92.67241, 43.06636)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 168 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 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 | $13.91 | $27.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.69 | $31.39 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $17.17 | $34.35 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $19.57 | $39.14 |
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.