How far is Marion, IA from Decorah, IA?

The driving distance from Marion, IA to Decorah, IA is about 106.8 miles (171.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 88.2 miles (142 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 02m 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
106.8 mi
02h 31m
Flight
88.21 mi
141.96 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Marion.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
88.21 mi
Kilometers
141.96 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
106.8 mi
Kilometers
171.87 km
Drive Time
02h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decorah
Wed, Apr 29, 7:08 AM CDT
Return by in Marion
Wed, Apr 29, 9:39 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Marion
2026-04-29T04:37
Arrive Decorah
Wed, Apr 29, 7:08 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:31 AM to 12:31 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:28 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Marion
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
Oelwein
IA

City in Fayette County, Iowa, United States of America

From Marion
53.4 mi
01h 15m
To Decorah
53.4 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
43°F
Overnight

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
38°F
Overnight

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 8th Avenue

    136 m · 23 sec · 8th Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 10th Street

    98 m · 13 sec · 10th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 7th Avenue

    880 ft · 22 sec · 7th Avenue

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    31 m · 4 sec

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout

    40 m · 6 sec

  6. 6

    Continue on 7th Avenue

    1828 ft · 48 sec · 7th Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on Marion Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min · Marion Boulevard

  8. 8

    Continue on 1st Avenue East

    621 ft · 19 sec · 1st Avenue East

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Collins Road Northeast

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Collins Road Northeast

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo

    2548 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, IA 27 north: Waterloo

    2156 ft · 42 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    87 m · 7 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Waterloo

    1093 ft · 27 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    18.7 mi · 20 min · Avenue of the Saints

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 150: Independence, Vinton

    2017 ft · 50 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 31st Avenue

    3.6 mi · 5 min · 31st Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on Jamestown Avenue

    10.4 mi · 14 min · Jamestown Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on 3rd Avenue Southeast

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 3rd Avenue Southeast

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 1st Street East

    647 ft · 18 sec · 1st Street East

  20. 20

    Turn left onto 5th Avenue Northeast

    1.5 km · 1 min · 5th Avenue Northeast

  21. 21

    Continue on Jamestown Avenue

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Jamestown Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on Jackson Avenue

    5 mi · 7 min · Jackson Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on Main Street South

    1.2 km · 1 min · Main Street South

  24. 24

    Continue on Jackson Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Jackson Avenue

  25. 25

    Continue on Palace Road

    1.6 km · 1 min · Palace Road

  26. 26

    Continue on Rock Island Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Rock Island Road

  27. 27

    Continue on 1st Avenue Southeast

    1413 ft · 28 sec · 1st Avenue Southeast

  28. 28

    Continue on 1st Avenue Northeast

    778 ft · 13 sec · 1st Avenue Northeast

  29. 29

    Turn straight onto Highway 150

    134 m · 7 sec · Highway 150

  30. 30

    Continue on North Frederick Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · North Frederick Avenue

  31. 31

    Continue on Palace Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Palace Road

  32. 32

    Turn right onto 60th Street

    2177 ft · 37 sec · 60th Street

  33. 33

    Turn straight onto P Avenue

    4 mi · 6 min · P Avenue

  34. 34

    Turn right onto Main Street West

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Main Street West

  35. 35

    Continue on 100th Street

    3.2 mi · 5 min · 100th Street

  36. 36

    Turn left onto K Avenue

    4 mi · 6 min · K Avenue

  37. 37

    Continue on State Highway 150

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 150

  38. 38

    Continue on Lincoln Road

    7.1 mi · 10 min · Lincoln Road

  39. 39

    Continue on State Highway 150

    1.9 mi · 3 min · State Highway 150

  40. 40

    Continue on Lincoln Road

    7.8 mi · 12 min · Lincoln Road

  41. 41

    Continue on Highway 150

    7 mi · 10 min · Highway 150

  42. 42

    Continue on Maryville Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Maryville Street

  43. 43

    Continue straight

    7.8 mi · 11 min

  44. 44

    Turn right onto State Highway 9

    2175 ft · 39 sec · State Highway 9

  45. 45

    Turn left onto Short Street

    2219 ft · 1 min · Short Street

  46. 46

    Continue on South Mechanic Street

    2540 ft · 1 min · South Mechanic Street

  47. 47

    Turn right onto West Broadway Street

    1323 ft · 32 sec · West Broadway Street

  48. 48

    Turn left onto Washington Street

    104 m · 17 sec · Washington Street

  49. 49

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    18 m · 3 sec · East Main Street

  50. 50

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
50 steps
18 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
46.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
18.7 mi · 17%
Lincoln Road
14.9 mi · 14%
Jamestown Avenue
14.7 mi · 14%
Maryville Street
10 mi · 9%
Highway 150
7.09 mi · 7%
Jackson Avenue
6.54 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

18.7 mi · 00h 20m

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 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.6 mi
88.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oelwein
01h 15m from Marion
Leave By
1:28 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Marion and Chance Rain Showers near Decorah.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 106.8 miles (171.9 km) and usually takes 02h 31m 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?

Oelwein is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.4 miles from Marion and 53.4 miles from Decorah.

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

The direct path is about 88.2 miles (142 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.6 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 1:28 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.22 one way or $28.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Marion and Chance Rain Showers near Decorah.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Marion and Decorah. Straight-line distance: 88.21 mi (141.96 km).

Marion

#1 Marion

The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.

Population40,780
Coordinates42.0341700, -91.5976800
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Decorah

#2 Decorah

Town in Iowa

Population7,484
Coordinates43.3033100, -91.7857100
Altitude268
CountryUnited States
Start: Marion (-91.59768, 42.03417)
End: Decorah (-91.78571, 43.30331)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 172 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.77 gal
14.27 L · about $14.22
Round trip
$28.43
7.54 gal · 28.54 L
Estimated CO2
33.5 kg one way
Round trip: 67 kg / 148 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.22 $28.43
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.03 $32.07
Premium $4.65 $17.55 $35.09
Diesel $5.30 $20.00 $39.99

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 29, 2026

There is no time difference between Marion and Decorah. The current time is 04:37:18.

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.