How far is Marshalltown, IA from Fort Dodge, IA?

The driving distance from Marshalltown, IA to Fort Dodge, IA is about 101.9 miles (164 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 71.5 miles (115 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 05m 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
101.91 mi
02h 02m
Flight
71.47 mi
115.02 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Marshalltown.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
71.47 mi
Kilometers
115.02 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
101.91 mi
Kilometers
164.01 km
Drive Time
02h 02m

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 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Dodge
Sun, Apr 12, 4:36 PM CDT
Return by in Marshalltown
Sun, Apr 12, 6:39 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Marshalltown
2026-04-12T14:33
Arrive Fort Dodge
Sun, Apr 12, 4:36 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:03 AM to 12:03 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Marshalltown
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
Story City
IA

City in Iowa

From Marshalltown
50.9 mi
01h 01m
To Fort Dodge
51 mi
01h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 24 mph SSW
Destination
76°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 23 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Marshalltown and Fort Dodge.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Marshalltown and Fort Dodge.

  1. 1

    Start on North 3rd Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · North 3rd Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Anson Street

    1329 ft · 30 sec · East Anson Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Center Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · South Center Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right

    1997 ft · 49 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway

    33.3 mi · 39 min · Lincoln Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North: Minneapolis

    2992 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    30.4 mi · 33 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge

    1664 ft · 57 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    28.1 mi · 32 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right

    1724 ft · 49 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Nelson Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Nelson Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Quail Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Quail Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 220th Street

    2515 ft · 48 sec · 220th Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Mill Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · Mill Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Paragon Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Paragon Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on South 32nd Street

    2798 ft · 1 min · South 32nd Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto 8th Avenue South

    1.6 km · 2 min · 8th Avenue South

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Marshalltown and Fort Dodge.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Highway
33.3 mi · 33%
I 35 North
31 mi · 30%
US 20 West
28.7 mi · 28%
South Center Street
2.7 mi · 3%
8th Avenue South
1 mi · 1%
Mill Road
0.97 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Lincoln Highway

Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway

33.3 mi · 00h 39m

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 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.4 mi
71.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Story City
01h 01m from Marshalltown
Leave By
2:24 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Marshalltown and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Dodge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Marshalltown to Fort Dodge?

The road trip is about 101.9 miles (164 km) and usually takes 02h 02m 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?

Story City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.9 miles from Marshalltown and 51 miles from Fort Dodge.

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

The direct path is about 71.5 miles (115 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.4 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 2:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.88 one way or $23.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Marshalltown and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Dodge.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Marshalltown and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 71.47 mi (115.02 km).

Marshalltown

#1 Marshalltown

City in Marshal County, Iowa

Population26,736
Coordinates42.0494300, -92.9079800
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Fort Dodge

#2 Fort Dodge

City in Iowa

Population23,906
Coordinates42.4974700, -94.1680200
Altitude340
CountryUnited States
Start: Marshalltown (-92.90798, 42.04943)
End: Fort Dodge (-94.16802, 42.49747)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 164 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.15 gal
11.93 L · about $11.88
Round trip
$23.76
6.3 gal · 23.86 L
Estimated CO2
28 kg one way
Round trip: 56 kg / 123 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.88 $23.76
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.40 $26.79
Premium $4.65 $14.66 $29.32
Diesel $5.30 $16.71 $33.42

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Marshalltown and Fort Dodge. The current time is 14:33:37.

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.