How far is Marion, IA from Spirit Lake, IA?
The driving distance from Marion, IA to Spirit Lake, IA is about 252.6 miles (406.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 202.1 miles (325.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 20m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Marion and Spirit Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion and Spirit Lake.
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1
Start on 8th Avenue
136 m · 23 sec · 8th Avenue
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2
Turn left onto 10th Street
98 m · 13 sec · 10th Street
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3
Turn right onto 7th Avenue
880 ft · 22 sec · 7th Avenue
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
31 m · 4 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
40 m · 6 sec
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6
Continue on 7th Avenue
1828 ft · 48 sec · 7th Avenue
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7
Continue on Marion Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Marion Boulevard
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8
Continue on 1st Avenue East
621 ft · 19 sec · 1st Avenue East
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9
Turn right onto Collins Road Northeast
2.2 mi · 3 min · Collins Road Northeast
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
2548 ft · 1 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, IA 27 north: Waterloo
2156 ft · 42 sec
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12
Keep slight left
87 m · 7 sec
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13
Continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Waterloo
1093 ft · 27 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
46.6 mi · 51 min · Avenue of the Saints
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
5.6 mi · 8 min
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16
Continue on West Washington Expressway
1293 ft · 18 sec · West Washington Expressway
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17
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.1 km · 52 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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18
Continue on West Washington Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Washington Street
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19
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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20
Take the exit slight right
1309 ft · 32 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
2382 ft · 58 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
92.9 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Avenue of the Saints
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23
Take the exit slight right
2004 ft · 56 sec
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24
Turn left onto State Highway 9
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 9
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25
Continue on North Street
2493 ft · 39 sec · North Street
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26
Continue on 360th Street
2631 ft · 41 sec · 360th Street
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27
Continue on Evergreen Avenue
2.3 mi · 3 min · Evergreen Avenue
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28
Continue on State Highway 9
5 mi · 7 min · State Highway 9
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29
Turn right onto 230th Avenue
5.2 mi · 7 min · 230th Avenue
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30
Turn left onto 400th Street
5.7 mi · 8 min · 400th Street
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31
At the end of the road, turn right onto 170th Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · 170th Avenue
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32
Turn left onto State Highway 9
16 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9
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33
Continue on 1st Avenue East
2648 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue East
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34
Continue on State Highway 9
6.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 9
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35
Keep slight left to continue on State Highway 9
117 m · 6 sec · State Highway 9
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36
Continue on US Highway 169
6.4 mi · 9 min · US Highway 169
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37
Continue on State Highway 9
4.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 9
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38
Continue on 4th Avenue West
1.1 km · 59 sec · 4th Avenue West
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39
Continue on 430th Street
6.1 mi · 9 min · 430th Street
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40
Continue on 4th Avenue
3.1 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue
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41
Continue on State Highway 9
15.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9
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42
Continue on East Central Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · East Central Avenue
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43
Continue on State Highway 9
3.3 mi · 5 min · State Highway 9
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44
Continue on Highway 9
1.4 mi · 2 min · Highway 9
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45
Continue on 1st Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · 1st Avenue
-
46
Continue on 150th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 150th Street
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47
Continue on US Highway 71
5.5 mi · 8 min · US Highway 71
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48
Continue on 18th Street
1757 ft · 54 sec · 18th Street
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49
Turn left onto Hill Avenue
48 m · 5 sec · Hill Avenue
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50
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hill Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Marion and Spirit Lake.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
92.9 mi · 01h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Marion and Sunny near Spirit Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Marion to Spirit Lake?
The road trip is about 252.6 miles (406.6 km) and usually takes 05h 20m 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?
Nora Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 126.1 miles from Marion and 126.5 miles from Spirit Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 202.1 miles (325.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.5 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 6:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.60 one way or $67.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Marion and Sunny near Spirit Lake.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Marion and Spirit Lake. Straight-line distance: 202.05 mi (325.17 km).
#1 Marion
The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.
| Population | 40,780 |
| Coordinates | 42.0341700, -91.5976800 |
| Altitude | 259 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Spirit Lake
City in Dickinson County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,251 |
| Coordinates | 43.4221800, -95.1022200 |
| Altitude | 449 |
| Country | United States |
End: Spirit Lake (-95.10222, 43.42218)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 407 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.60 | $67.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.89 | $75.79 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.47 | $82.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.26 | $94.52 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.