How far is Storm Lake, IA from Marion, IA?

The driving distance from Storm Lake, IA to Marion, IA is about 212.8 miles (342.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 189.1 miles (304.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 48m 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
212.79 mi
03h 24m
Flight
189.17 mi
304.44 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Storm Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
189.17 mi
Kilometers
304.44 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
212.79 mi
Kilometers
342.46 km
Drive Time
03h 24m

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 03h 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Marion
Thu, Apr 16, 1:18 AM CDT
Return by in Storm Lake
Thu, Apr 16, 4:42 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Storm Lake
2026-04-15T21:54
Arrive Marion
Thu, Apr 16, 1:18 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:24 AM to 11:24 AM CDT

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

Leave by
10:12 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Storm Lake
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
Buckeye
IA

Township in Hardin County, Iowa

From Storm Lake
106.6 mi
01h 42m
To Marion
106.2 mi
01h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
47°F
Overnight

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE
Destination
73°F
Today

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 8:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Storm Lake and Marion.

  1. 1

    Start on Grand Avenue

    942 ft · 40 sec · Grand Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on West Lakeshore Drive

    3.1 mi · 7 min · West Lakeshore Drive

  3. 3

    Continue on 130th Avenue

    10.9 mi · 15 min · 130th Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on US 71

    1014 ft · 20 sec · US 71

  5. 5

    Take the exit left toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge

    1841 ft · 51 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    153.3 mi · 2 hr 57 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    40.7 mi · 44 min · Avenue of the Saints

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 100

    1286 ft · 31 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    802 ft · 20 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on IA 100

    1460 ft · 28 sec

  11. 11

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

    564 ft · 17 sec

  12. 12

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

    3094 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Collins Road Northeast

    1663 ft · 30 sec · Collins Road Northeast

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Collins Road Northeast

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue East

    717 ft · 22 sec · 1st Avenue East

  16. 16

    Continue on Marion Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min · Marion Boulevard

  17. 17

    Continue on 7th Avenue

    1664 ft · 46 sec · 7th Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto 6th Street

    96 m · 18 sec · 6th Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 8th Avenue

    1702 ft · 1 min · 8th Avenue

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 East
154 mi · 72%
Avenue of the Saints
40.7 mi · 19%
130th Avenue
10.9 mi · 5%
West Lakeshore Drive
3.11 mi · 1%
Collins Road Northeast
2.14 mi · 1%
IA 100
0.67 mi
Longest Stretch

US 20 East

Merge slight left

153 mi · 02h 57m

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
03h 24m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.7 mi
189.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buckeye
01h 42m from Storm Lake
Leave By
10:12 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Storm Lake and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Marion.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Storm Lake to Marion?

The road trip is about 212.8 miles (342.5 km) and usually takes 03h 24m 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?

Buckeye is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.6 miles from Storm Lake and 106.2 miles from Marion.

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

The direct path is about 189.1 miles (304.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.7 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 10:12 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.32 one way or $56.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Storm Lake and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Marion.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Storm Lake and Marion. Straight-line distance: 189.17 mi (304.44 km).

Storm Lake

#1 Storm Lake

City in Iowa

Population10,438
Coordinates42.6410900, -95.2097200
Altitude433
CountryUnited States
Marion

#2 Marion

The county seat of Linn County, Iowa.

Population40,780
Coordinates42.0341700, -91.5976800
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Start: Grand Avenue (-95.209917, 42.641092)
End: 8th Avenue (-91.59768, 42.03419)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 342 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.51 gal
28.42 L · about $28.32
Round trip
$56.64
15.02 gal · 56.84 L
Estimated CO2
66.7 kg one way
Round trip: 133.5 kg / 294 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $28.32 $56.64
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.94 $63.88
Premium $4.65 $34.95 $69.90
Diesel $5.30 $39.83 $79.67

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Storm Lake and Marion. The current time is 21:54:01.

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.