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

The driving distance from Marion, IA to Fort Madison, IA is about 117.2 miles (188.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 98.1 miles (157.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 46m 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
117.19 mi
02h 23m
Flight
98.13 mi
157.93 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
98.13 mi
Kilometers
157.93 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
117.19 mi
Kilometers
188.6 km
Drive Time
02h 23m

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 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Madison
Sat, Apr 18, 3:14 AM CDT
Return by in Marion
Sat, Apr 18, 5:37 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Marion
2026-04-18T00:51
Arrive Fort Madison
Sat, Apr 18, 3:14 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:23 AM to 12:23 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:44 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
58.6 mi
01h 11m
To Fort Madison
58.6 mi
01h 11m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW
Destination
54°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    25.8 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 2: Donnellson, Fort Madison

    2195 ft · 59 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left onto State Highway 2

    8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 2

  20. 20

    Continue on Avenue O

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Avenue O

  21. 21

    Continue on Old Highway 61

    1602 ft · 27 sec · Old Highway 61

  22. 22

    Continue on Avenue L

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Avenue L

  23. 23

    Turn left onto 18th Street

    1019 ft · 21 sec · 18th Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Avenue H

    1.3 km · 1 min · Avenue H

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Avenue I

    42 m · 12 sec · Avenue I

  26. 26

    Turn left

    19 m · 4 sec

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
27 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
98.4 mi · 84%
State Highway 2
8.87 mi · 8%
Avenue O
1.71 mi · 1%
Avenue L
1.48 mi · 1%
Oakland Road Northeast
0.97 mi · 1%
Collins Road Northeast
0.94 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 23m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.1 mi
98.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ainsworth
01h 11m from Marion
Leave By
1:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Marion and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Madison.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 117.2 miles (188.6 km) and usually takes 02h 23m 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 58.6 miles from Marion and 58.6 miles from Fort Madison.

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

The direct path is about 98.1 miles (157.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.1 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 1:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.57 one way or $31.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Marion and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Madison.

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 Fort Madison. Straight-line distance: 98.13 mi (157.93 km).

Marion

#1 Marion

The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.

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

#2 Fort Madison

City and county seat in Lee County, Iowa

Population10,263
Coordinates40.6297600, -91.3151500
Altitude161
CountryUnited States
Start: Marion (-91.59768, 42.03417)
End: Fort Madison (-91.31515, 40.62976)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 189 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.13 gal
15.65 L · about $15.57
Round trip
$31.15
8.26 gal · 31.3 L
Estimated CO2
36.7 kg one way
Round trip: 73.4 kg / 162 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.57 $31.15
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.56 $35.13
Premium $4.65 $19.22 $38.44
Diesel $5.30 $21.91 $43.81

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

There is no time difference between Marion and Fort Madison. The current time is 00:51:03.

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.