How far is Marion, IA from Sheldon, IA?

The driving distance from Marion, IA to Sheldon, IA is about 283.3 miles (456 km), with a travel time of about 05h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 230.6 miles (371.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
283.33 mi
05h 44m
Flight
230.57 mi
371.06 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Marion.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
230.57 mi
Kilometers
371.06 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
283.33 mi
Kilometers
455.97 km
Drive Time
05h 44m

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 05h 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sheldon
Thu, Apr 23, 12:29 PM CDT
Return by in Marion
Thu, Apr 23, 6:13 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Marion
2026-04-23T06:44
Arrive Sheldon
Thu, Apr 23, 12:29 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:44 AM to 1:44 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:32 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Marion
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Duncombe
IA

City in Webster County, Iowa, in the United States

From Marion
141.4 mi
02h 52m
To Sheldon
141.9 mi
02h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
25 to 30 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    159.2 mi · 3 hr 4 min · Avenue of the Saints

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue

    6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on 20th Avenue

    9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Highway 7

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7

  19. 19

    Continue on State Highway 7

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7

  20. 20

    Continue on 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  21. 21

    Continue on V Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · V Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left onto State Highway 3

    1153 ft · 23 sec · State Highway 3

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto 530th Street

    3.1 mi · 4 min · 530th Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto State Highway 3

    4.5 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  25. 25

    Continue on 500th Street

    2.5 mi · 3 min · 500th Street

  26. 26

    Continue on State Highway 3

    4.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  27. 27

    Continue on 490th Street

    5 mi · 7 min · 490th Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Ames Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Ames Avenue

  29. 29

    Continue on D Avenue

    5.7 mi · 8 min · D Avenue

  30. 30

    Continue on Nettle Avenue

    5 mi · 7 min · Nettle Avenue

  31. 31

    Turn left onto 460th Street

    3.5 mi · 5 min · 460th Street

  32. 32

    Continue on Garfield Street

    2590 ft · 1 min · Garfield Street

  33. 33

    Continue on 460th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 460th Street

  34. 34

    Turn right onto Log Avenue

    5.5 mi · 8 min · Log Avenue

  35. 35

    Turn right

    7.1 mi · 8 min

  36. 36

    Take the exit slight right toward CR L26, IA 60 Business: 2nd Avenue

    1660 ft · 44 sec

  37. 37

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · 2nd Avenue

  38. 38

    Turn right onto 9th Street

    8 m · 1 sec · 9th Street

  39. 39

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
39 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
206 mi · 73%
20th Avenue
9.23 mi · 3%
State Highway 3
8.82 mi · 3%
Armstrong Avenue
5.95 mi · 2%
D Avenue
5.75 mi · 2%
Log Avenue
5.51 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

159 mi · 03h 04m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 44m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+52.7 mi
230.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Duncombe
02h 52m from Marion
Leave By
5:32 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Marion and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sheldon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 283.3 miles (456 km) and usually takes 05h 44m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Duncombe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.4 miles from Marion and 141.9 miles from Sheldon.

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

The direct path is about 230.6 miles (371.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:32 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.71 one way or $75.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Marion and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sheldon.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Marion and Sheldon. Straight-line distance: 230.57 mi (371.06 km).

Marion

#1 Marion

The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.

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

#2 Sheldon

City in Iowa, United States

Population5,071
Coordinates43.1810900, -95.8561300
Altitude435
CountryUnited States
Start: Marion (-91.59768, 42.03417)
End: Sheldon (-95.85613, 43.18109)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 456 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 39m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10 gal
37.85 L · about $37.71
Round trip
$75.42
20 gal · 75.7 L
Estimated CO2
88.9 kg one way
Round trip: 177.7 kg / 392 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $37.71 $75.42
Mid-grade $4.25 $42.53 $85.06
Premium $4.65 $46.54 $93.08
Diesel $5.30 $53.04 $106.08

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Marion and Sheldon. The current time is 06:44:44.

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.