How far is Marshalltown, IA from Iowa City, IA?

The driving distance from Marshalltown, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 92.2 miles (148.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 75.8 miles (122 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 13m 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
92.22 mi
01h 36m
Flight
75.81 mi
122.01 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
75.81 mi
Kilometers
122.01 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
92.22 mi
Kilometers
148.41 km
Drive Time
01h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Iowa City
Thu, Apr 23, 4:08 AM CDT
Return by in Marshalltown
Thu, Apr 23, 5:45 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Marshalltown
2026-04-23T02:31
Arrive Iowa City
Thu, Apr 23, 4:08 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:37 AM to 11:37 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:16 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
Van Horne
IA

Human settlement in Benton County, Iowa, United States of America

From Marshalltown
46.2 mi
00h 48m
To Iowa City
46 mi
00h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 25 mph S
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Marshalltown and Iowa City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Marshalltown and Iowa City.

  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

    2.4 mi · 4 min · South Center Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    1865 ft · 46 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway

    31.5 mi · 36 min · Lincoln Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on 73rd Street

    33.4 mi · 39 min · 73rd Street

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport

    2293 ft · 39 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    15.4 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    2061 ft · 53 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Marshalltown and Iowa City.

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
16 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
73rd Street
33.4 mi · 36%
Lincoln Highway
31.5 mi · 34%
Avenue of the Saints
15.4 mi · 17%
I 80 East
5.42 mi · 6%
South Center Street
2.78 mi · 3%
North Dubuque Street
0.95 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

73rd Street

Continue on 73rd Street

33.4 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
01h 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.4 mi
75.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Van Horne
00h 48m from Marshalltown
Leave By
3:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Marshalltown and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Iowa City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Marshalltown to Iowa City?

The road trip is about 92.2 miles (148.4 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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?

Van Horne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.2 miles from Marshalltown and 46 miles from Iowa City.

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

The direct path is about 75.8 miles (122 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 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 3:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.26 one way or $24.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Marshalltown and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Iowa City.

Stop Ideas Near Van Horne

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

113 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Marshalltown and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 75.81 mi (122.01 km).

Marshalltown

#1 Marshalltown

City in Marshal County, Iowa

Population26,736
Coordinates42.0494300, -92.9079800
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Iowa City

#2 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

Population75,130
Coordinates41.6611300, -91.5301700
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Start: North 3rd Avenue (-92.908043, 42.04943)
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 148 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.25 gal
12.32 L · about $12.26
Round trip
$24.51
6.5 gal · 24.64 L
Estimated CO2
28.9 kg one way
Round trip: 57.8 kg / 127 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.26 $24.51
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.82 $27.64
Premium $4.65 $15.13 $30.25
Diesel $5.30 $17.24 $34.48

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 Marshalltown and Iowa City. The current time is 02:31:47.

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.