How far is Marion, IA from Independence, IA?

The driving distance from Marion, IA to Independence, IA is about 39.3 miles (63.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 33.5 miles (53.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 42m 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
39.35 mi
00h 51m
Flight
33.52 mi
53.94 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
33.52 mi
Kilometers
53.94 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
39.35 mi
Kilometers
63.32 km
Drive Time
00h 51m

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 00h 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Independence
Thu, Apr 16, 11:11 PM CDT
Return by in Marion
Fri, Apr 17, 12:02 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Marion
2026-04-16T22:20
Arrive Independence
Thu, Apr 16, 11:11 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:51 AM to 10:51 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:48 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
Urbana
IA

City in Benton County, Iowa, United States

From Marion
19.7 mi
00h 25m
To Independence
19.7 mi
00h 25m

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
73°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

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 Independence.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    18.7 mi · 20 min · Avenue of the Saints

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 150: Independence, Vinton

    2017 ft · 50 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 31st Avenue

    3.6 mi · 5 min · 31st Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on Jamestown Avenue

    10.4 mi · 14 min · Jamestown Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on 3rd Avenue Southeast

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 3rd Avenue Southeast

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 1st Street East

    647 ft · 15 sec · 1st Street East

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 5th Avenue Southeast

    13 m · 2 sec · 5th Avenue Southeast

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 5th Avenue Southeast

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
53.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
18.7 mi · 47%
Jamestown Avenue
10.4 mi · 26%
31st Avenue
3.59 mi · 9%
Collins Road Northeast
2.18 mi · 6%
3rd Avenue Southeast
1.39 mi · 4%
Marion Boulevard
0.63 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

18.7 mi · 00h 20m

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
00h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.8 mi
33.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Urbana
00h 25m from Marion
Leave By
4:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Marion and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Independence.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 39.3 miles (63.3 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?

Urbana is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.7 miles from Marion and 19.7 miles from Independence.

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

The direct path is about 33.5 miles (53.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 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 4:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.24 one way or $10.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Marion and Independence. Straight-line distance: 33.52 mi (53.94 km).

Marion

#1 Marion

The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.

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

#2 Independence

City in Iowa

Population6,203
Coordinates42.4686000, -91.8893400
Altitude285
CountryUnited States
Start: Marion (-91.59768, 42.03417)
End: Independence (-91.88934, 42.4686)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 63 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.39 gal
5.26 L · about $5.24
Round trip
$10.48
2.78 gal · 10.52 L
Estimated CO2
12.4 kg one way
Round trip: 24.7 kg / 54 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.24 $10.48
Mid-grade $4.25 $5.91 $11.82
Premium $4.65 $6.47 $12.94
Diesel $5.30 $7.37 $14.75

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 · Apr 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Marion and Independence. The current time is 22:20:23.

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.