Origin
Denison, IA
Morning in Denison on Friday
Local time
9:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Denison, IA to Linn County, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
205.1 mi
330 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 10m
★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 30m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Denison, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Linn County, IA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This 205.1-mile journey from Denison, IA, to Linn County, IA, is best tackled as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 23 minutes. You'll primarily navigate local roads like 230th Street, 220nd Street, and 4th Avenue South, with only about 5% of the route on highways. Expect a total fuel cost of around $32 for this drive through the Midwest. With only one recommended stop, this trip offers a straightforward path for a day's travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
102.6 miles from Denison, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 205.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (5%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive across Iowa. While only 5% of this route utilizes highways, you'll find the majority of the 205.1 miles on local roads, making for a more engaged driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 77.2 miles on 230th Street. This drive features a more intimate connection with the landscape, as opposed to a fast-paced highway cruise, and requires your attention due to frequent changes in direction.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
230th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 77.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 30 / 4th Avenue South.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 23m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 30 / 4th Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 188.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.8 miles (IA 100 / Collins Road Northeast): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 30 / 4th Avenue South
Turn left onto US 30 / 4th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
5
188.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m in
Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
4
198.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m in
|
IA 100 / Collins Road Northeast
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100 / Collins Road Northeast
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
202 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
|
10th Street
Turn left onto 10th Street
Navigation decision point
6
202.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m in
|
10th Street
Enter roundabout onto 10th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Denison, IA to Linn County, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
Marion
188.4 mi in
|
~3h 57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 230th Street | 77.2 mi | 1h 29m |
| 220th Street | 44.4 mi | 58m |
| 4th Avenue South | 29.4 mi | 43m |
| 73rd Street | 26.8 mi | 30m |
| County Road N33 | 10.3 mi | 13m |
| IA 100 | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| 10th Street | 3.2 mi | 7m |
| Collins Road Northeast | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
230th Street
— 77.2 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denison, IA and Linn County, IA.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 30
29 mi
·
43 min
·
4th Avenue South
3
Continue on US 30
10 mi
·
13 min
·
County Road N33
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 30
44 mi
·
58 min
·
220th Street
5
Continue on US 30
77 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
230th Street
6
Continue on US 30
27 mi
·
30 min
·
73rd Street
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
8
Continue on IA 100
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
IA 100
9
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Collins Road Northeast
10
Turn left onto 1st Avenue East
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
1st Avenue East
11
Continue on Marion Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Marion Boulevard
12
Continue on US 151 Business
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
7th Avenue
13
Enter roundabout onto US 151 Business
107 ft
·
4 sec
·
7th Avenue
14
Continue on US 151 Business
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
7th Avenue
15
Turn left onto 10th Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
10th Street
16
Enter roundabout onto 10th Street
42 ft
·
1 sec
·
10th Street
17
Continue on 10th Street
2.9 mi
·
7 min
·
10th Street
18
Arrive at destination
10th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 23-minute duration, starting your drive in Denison, IA, in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, ensure your tank is full before departing. While the route is manageable in one day, remember there's only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly. Pay attention to the local road segments, especially the 77.2-mile stretch on 230th Street, as they will require more focus than typical highway driving.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 102.6 miles from Denison, IA, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 45 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.6 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Linn County, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Denison, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Denison, IA
This is one driving day of about 205.1 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Denison, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on 230th Street for about 77.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102.6 mi from Denison, IA · 2h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.6 miles from Denison, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before 230th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.2 miles.
Arriving in Linn County, IA
The final approach into Linn County, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Linn County, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.07 one way
$64.13 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $35.21 | $70.41 |
| premium | $4.89 | $39.47 | $78.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.28 | $90.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.54 | $9.84 |
| Efficient EV | 51.3 | 0 | $17.95 | $8.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82 | 1 | $28.71 | $13.13 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Linn County, IA
Morning in Linn County on Friday
Local time
9:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Nevada, IA
103 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 23m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Denison, IA to Linn County, IA covers 205.1 miles and takes about 4h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 230th Street, 220th Street, 4th Avenue South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 102.6 miles from Denison, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.07 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 23m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 30 / 4th Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 188.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.8 miles (IA 100 / Collins Road Northeast): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Denison, IA to Linn County, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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