How far is Marion, IA from Fairfield, IA?

The driving distance from Marion, IA to Fairfield, IA is about 101.2 miles (162.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 73.3 miles (118 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 06m 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
101.17 mi
02h 03m
Flight
73.33 mi
118.01 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
73.33 mi
Kilometers
118.01 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
101.17 mi
Kilometers
162.81 km
Drive Time
02h 03m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fairfield
Thu, Apr 16, 9:12 AM CDT
Return by in Marion
Thu, Apr 16, 11:16 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Marion
2026-04-16T07:09
Arrive Fairfield
Thu, Apr 16, 9:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:03 AM to 12:03 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:24 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
Ainsworth
IA

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

From Marion
50.6 mi
01h 01m
To Fairfield
50.6 mi
01h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W
Destination
76°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.5 km · 1 min · Collins Road Northeast

  10. 10

    Turn left onto C Avenue Northeast

    43 m · 3 sec · C Avenue Northeast

  11. 11

    Turn slight right onto Old Marion Road Northeast

    1.5 km · 2 min · Old Marion Road Northeast

  12. 12

    Continue on Oakland Road Northeast

    1.6 km · 2 min · Oakland Road Northeast

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 29th Street Northeast

    1411 ft · 30 sec · 29th Street Northeast

  14. 14

    Continue on Coldstream Avenue Northeast

    628 ft · 22 sec · Coldstream Avenue Northeast

  15. 15

    Turn left

    1278 ft · 31 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    72.6 mi · 1 hr 24 min · Avenue of the Saints

  17. 17

    Keep slight right

    2853 ft · 38 sec

  18. 18

    Take the exit right

    2249 ft · 55 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    19.4 mi · 22 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward US 34 Business West

    3006 ft · 1 min

  21. 21

    Turn right onto East Burlington Avenue

    2.4 mi · 4 min · East Burlington Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right onto North B Street

    719 ft · 25 sec · North B Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto East Briggs Avenue

    126 m · 20 sec · East Briggs Avenue

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Briggs Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
24 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
93 mi · 92%
East Burlington Avenue
2.43 mi · 2%
Oakland Road Northeast
0.97 mi · 1%
Collins Road Northeast
0.94 mi · 1%
Old Marion Road Northeast
0.93 mi · 1%
Marion Boulevard
0.63 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

72.6 mi · 01h 24m

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 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.9 mi
73.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ainsworth
01h 01m from Marion
Leave By
2:24 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Marion and Sunny near Fairfield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 101.2 miles (162.8 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?

Ainsworth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.6 miles from Marion and 50.6 miles from Fairfield.

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

The direct path is about 73.3 miles (118 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.9 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 2:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.46 one way or $26.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Marion and Sunny near Fairfield.

Stop Ideas Near Ainsworth

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

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

RAIL

Mount Pleasant

35 mi away
418 North Adams Street
RAIL

Burlington

66 mi away
300 South Main Street
RAIL

Fort Madison station

76 mi away
1601 20th Street
RAIL

Ottumwa station

78 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Marion and Fairfield. Straight-line distance: 73.33 mi (118.01 km).

Marion

#1 Marion

The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.

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

#2 Fairfield

City in Iowa, United States

Population10,500
Coordinates41.0086300, -91.9626700
Altitude236
CountryUnited States
Start: Marion (-91.59768, 42.03417)
End: Fairfield (-91.96267, 41.00863)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 163 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.57 gal
13.51 L · about $13.46
Round trip
$26.92
7.14 gal · 27.02 L
Estimated CO2
31.7 kg one way
Round trip: 63.5 kg / 140 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.46 $26.92
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.18 $30.37
Premium $4.65 $16.61 $33.23
Diesel $5.30 $18.94 $37.87

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Marion and Fairfield. The current time is 07:09:32.

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.