How far is Marion, IA from Fort Dodge, IA?

The driving distance from Marion, IA to Fort Dodge, IA is about 151.4 miles (243.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 57m 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
151.43 mi
02h 58m
Flight
135.26 mi
217.68 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
135.26 mi
Kilometers
217.68 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
151.43 mi
Kilometers
243.7 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Dodge
Wed, Jun 3, 1:38 PM CDT
Return by in Marion
Wed, Jun 3, 4:37 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Marion
2026-06-03T10:39
Arrive Fort Dodge
Wed, Jun 3, 1:38 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:59 AM to 12:59 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:32 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
Holland
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Marion
75.6 mi
01h 29m
To Fort Dodge
75.9 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
81°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 15 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Marion and Fort Dodge.

  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

    46.6 mi · 51 min · Avenue of the Saints

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    94.5 mi · 1 hr 49 min · Avenue of the Saints

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right

    1724 ft · 49 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Nelson Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Nelson Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on Quail Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Quail Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 220th Street

    2515 ft · 48 sec · 220th Street

  20. 20

    Continue on Mill Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · Mill Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Paragon Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Paragon Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on South 32nd Street

    2798 ft · 1 min · South 32nd Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto 8th Avenue South

    1.6 km · 2 min · 8th Avenue South

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue South

Car Route Details

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

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
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
141 mi · 93%
Collins Road Northeast
2.18 mi · 1%
8th Avenue South
1 mi · 1%
Mill Road
0.97 mi · 1%
Quail Avenue
0.81 mi · 1%
Paragon Avenue
0.72 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

94.5 mi · 01h 49m

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 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.1 mi
135.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Holland
01h 29m from Marion
Leave By
12:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Marion and Mostly Sunny near Fort Dodge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Marion to Fort Dodge?

The road trip is about 151.4 miles (243.7 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?

Holland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.6 miles from Marion and 75.9 miles from Fort Dodge.

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

The direct path is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 12:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.14 one way or $40.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Marion and Mostly Sunny near Fort Dodge.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Marion and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 135.26 mi (217.68 km).

Marion

#1 Marion

The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.

Population40,780
Coordinates42.0341700, -91.5976800
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Fort Dodge

#2 Fort Dodge

City in Iowa

Population23,906
Coordinates42.4974700, -94.1680200
Altitude340
CountryUnited States
Start: Marion (-91.59768, 42.03417)
End: Fort Dodge (-94.16802, 42.49747)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 244 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.34 gal
20.23 L · about $20.14
Round trip
$40.27
10.68 gal · 40.46 L
Estimated CO2
47.5 kg one way
Round trip: 94.9 kg / 209 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.14 $40.27
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.71 $45.42
Premium $4.65 $24.85 $49.70
Diesel $5.30 $28.32 $56.65

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 · Jun 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Marion and Fort Dodge. The current time is 10:39:48.

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.