How far is Sheldon, IA from Marion, IA?

The driving distance from Sheldon, IA to Marion, IA is about 281.2 miles (452.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 230.6 miles (371.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 14m 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
281.21 mi
04h 37m
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 Sheldon.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
281.21 mi
Kilometers
452.56 km
Drive Time
04h 37m

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 04h 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Marion
Thu, Apr 23, 8:07 AM CDT
Return by in Sheldon
Thu, Apr 23, 12:44 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sheldon
2026-04-23T03:30
Arrive Marion
Thu, Apr 23, 8:07 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:37 AM to 12:37 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
7:46 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sheldon
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Duncombe
IA

City in Webster County, Iowa, in the United States

From Sheldon
141.4 mi
02h 18m
To Marion
139.9 mi
02h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
25 to 30 mph SSW
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Partly 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 Sheldon and Marion.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 9th Street

    8 m · 6 sec · 9th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · 2nd Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    7.5 mi · 9 min

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Log Avenue

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Log Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 460th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 460th Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Garfield Street

    2590 ft · 1 min · Garfield Street

  7. 7

    Continue on 460th Street

    3.5 mi · 5 min · 460th Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Nettle Avenue

    5 mi · 7 min · Nettle Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on D Avenue

    5.7 mi · 8 min · D Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on Ames Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Ames Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 490th Street

    5 mi · 7 min · 490th Street

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 3

    4.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  13. 13

    Continue on 500th Street

    2.5 mi · 3 min · 500th Street

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto State Highway 3

    4.4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 530th Street

    3.4 mi · 5 min · 530th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto V Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · V Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  18. 18

    Continue on State Highway 7

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7

  19. 19

    Continue on Highway 7

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 20th Avenue

    9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on Armstrong Avenue

    6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue

  22. 22

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street

    164.9 mi · 3 hr 10 min · 220th Street

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    40.7 mi · 44 min · Avenue of the Saints

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 100

    1286 ft · 31 sec

  25. 25

    Keep slight left

    802 ft · 20 sec

  26. 26

    Keep slight right to continue on IA 100

    1460 ft · 28 sec

  27. 27

    Keep slight left to continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

    564 ft · 17 sec

  28. 28

    Turn left onto I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 east: Waterloo, Marion

    3094 ft · 1 min

  29. 29

    Merge slight left onto Collins Road Northeast

    1663 ft · 30 sec · Collins Road Northeast

  30. 30

    Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Collins Road Northeast

  31. 31

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue East

    717 ft · 22 sec · 1st Avenue East

  32. 32

    Continue on Marion Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min · Marion Boulevard

  33. 33

    Continue on 7th Avenue

    1664 ft · 46 sec · 7th Avenue

  34. 34

    Turn left onto 6th Street

    96 m · 18 sec · 6th Street

  35. 35

    Turn right onto 8th Avenue

    1702 ft · 1 min · 8th Avenue

  36. 36

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
36 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
165 mi · 59%
Avenue of the Saints
40.7 mi · 14%
20th Avenue
9.23 mi · 3%
2nd Avenue
8.92 mi · 3%
State Highway 3
8.58 mi · 3%
Armstrong Avenue
5.95 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street

165 mi · 03h 10m

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
04h 37m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+50.6 mi
230.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Duncombe
02h 18m from Sheldon
Leave By
7:46 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 281.2 miles (452.6 km) and usually takes 04h 37m 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 Sheldon and 139.9 miles from Marion.

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 50.6 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 7:46 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.41 one way or $74.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

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

Sheldon

#1 Sheldon

City in Iowa, United States

Population5,071
Coordinates43.1810900, -95.8561300
Altitude435
CountryUnited States
Marion

#2 Marion

The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.

Population40,780
Coordinates42.0341700, -91.5976800
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Start: 9th Street (-95.856108, 43.181144)
End: 8th Avenue (-91.59768, 42.03419)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 453 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.92 gal
37.56 L · about $37.41
Round trip
$74.82
19.84 gal · 75.12 L
Estimated CO2
88.2 kg one way
Round trip: 176.3 kg / 389 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $37.41 $74.82
Mid-grade $4.25 $42.19 $84.38
Premium $4.65 $46.17 $92.34
Diesel $5.30 $52.62 $105.23

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 Sheldon and Marion. The current time is 03:30:27.

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.