How far is Marion, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Marion, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 122.1 miles (196.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.8 miles (173.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 07m 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 03m.
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.
Human settlement in Tama County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Marion and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion and Des Moines.
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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
11.2 mi · 13 min · Collins Road Northeast
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
1.2 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest
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12
Continue on 73rd Street
24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street
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13
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
1818 ft · 46 sec
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15
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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16
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
4.5 mi · 6 min
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18
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
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19
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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22
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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23
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Marion and Des Moines.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Lincoln Highway
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Sunny leaving Marion and Sunny near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Marion to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 122.1 miles (196.5 km) and usually takes 02h 03m 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?
Montour is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61 miles from Marion and 61.1 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 107.8 miles (173.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.3 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 2:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.25 one way or $32.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Marion and Sunny near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Montour
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Montour.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Marion and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 107.82 mi (173.52 km).
#1 Marion
The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.
| Population | 40,780 |
| Coordinates | 42.0341700, -91.5976800 |
| Altitude | 259 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 197 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.25 | $32.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.33 | $36.66 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.06 | $40.12 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.86 | $45.72 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.