How far is Marion, IA from Grinnell, IA?

The driving distance from Marion, IA to Grinnell, IA is about 76.7 miles (123.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 61.3 miles (98.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 20m 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
76.69 mi
01h 40m
Flight
61.25 mi
98.57 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
61.25 mi
Kilometers
98.57 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
76.69 mi
Kilometers
123.42 km
Drive Time
01h 40m

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 01h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Grinnell
Sun, May 3, 4:50 PM CDT
Return by in Marion
Sun, May 3, 6:31 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Marion
2026-05-03T15:10
Arrive Grinnell
Sun, May 3, 4:50 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:40 AM to 11:40 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:10 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
Elberon
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Marion
38.3 mi
00h 50m
To Grinnell
38.4 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
44°F
Overnight

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, May 3 2:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW
Destination
44°F
Overnight

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 3 5:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    11.2 mi · 13 min · Collins Road Northeast

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown

    1.2 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest

    2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest

  12. 12

    Continue on 73rd Street

    24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    12 mi · 14 min · Lincoln Highway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right

    2160 ft · 59 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East 5th Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · East 5th Street

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South State Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · South State Street

  18. 18

    Continue on J Avenue

    6.3 mi · 9 min · J Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on 100th Street

    8 mi · 12 min · 100th Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 380th Avenue

    5.5 mi · 7 min · 380th Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on 6th Avenue

    2927 ft · 58 sec · 6th Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Penrose Street

    1056 ft · 38 sec · Penrose Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto 4th Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · 4th Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Park Street

    21 m · 3 sec · Park Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Park Street

Car Route Details

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

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
25 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
32.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
73rd Street
24.4 mi · 32%
Lincoln Highway
12.4 mi · 16%
Collins Road Northeast
11.2 mi · 15%
100th Street
8.04 mi · 10%
J Avenue
6.25 mi · 8%
380th Avenue
5.5 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

73rd Street

Continue on 73rd Street

24.4 mi · 00h 28m

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
01h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.4 mi
61.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Elberon
00h 50m from Marion
Leave By
3:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Marion and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Grinnell.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 76.7 miles (123.4 km) and usually takes 01h 40m 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?

Elberon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.3 miles from Marion and 38.4 miles from Grinnell.

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

The direct path is about 61.3 miles (98.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.4 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 3:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.22 one way or $20.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Marion and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Grinnell.

Stop Ideas Near Elberon

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

110 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Marion and Grinnell. Straight-line distance: 61.25 mi (98.57 km).

Marion

#1 Marion

The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.

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

#2 Grinnell

City in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States

Population9,096
Coordinates41.7430500, -92.7224100
Altitude309
CountryUnited States
Start: Marion (-91.59768, 42.03417)
End: Grinnell (-92.72241, 41.74305)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 123 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.71 gal
10.24 L · about $10.22
Round trip
$20.44
5.42 gal · 20.48 L
Estimated CO2
24.1 kg one way
Round trip: 48.2 kg / 106 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.22 $20.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.53 $23.05
Premium $4.65 $12.61 $25.22
Diesel $5.30 $14.37 $28.75

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 · May 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Marion and Grinnell. The current time is 15:10:31.

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.