Origin
Fort Madison, IA
Late night in Fort Madison on Saturday
Local time
2:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Madison, IA to Marion, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 1m
Distance
118.2 mi
190 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 1m
8 AM
2h 19m
10 AM
2h 7m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 8m
5 PM
2h 18m
8 PM
1h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Madison, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Marion, IA
Joanna Bogacz
Trip Overview
This 118.2-mile journey from Fort Madison, IA to Marion, IA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 1 minute to complete. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with a 0% highway share, making it a direct, turn-heavy drive. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $18, which is quite reasonable for the distance covered. Given its relatively short duration and local road focus, this trip offers flexibility for when you depart and how you pace yourself. It's a straightforward drive connecting two points within the Midwest region of Iowa.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.1 miles from Fort Madison, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 1m. Total distance: 118.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 118.2-mile route, as there's no highway percentage to speak of. You'll be spending your time on roads like Avenue I, Avenue H, and 20th Street, which means you'll be navigating through towns and local areas for much of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests frequent intersections and changes in direction rather than long, open stretches. This character means you'll likely experience a variety of speed limits and road conditions as you move from one local road to another.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue I is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Fort Madison, IA to Marion, IA is easy. At 2h 1m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fort Madison, IA to Marion, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue I | — | — |
| Avenue H | — | — |
| 20th Street | — | — |
| Avenue L | — | — |
| Highway 61 | — | — |
| Avenue O | — | — |
| Avenue of the Saints | — | — |
| Glass Road | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Avenue I
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Madison, IA and Marion, IA.
1
Start on the route
62 ft
·
7 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right onto Avenue I
138 ft
·
11 sec
·
Avenue I
3
Turn left onto Avenue H
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Avenue H
4
Turn left onto 20th Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
20th Street
5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Avenue L
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Avenue L
6
Continue on Old Highway 61
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Old Highway 61
7
Continue on Avenue O
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue O
8
Turn straight
8.3 mi
·
11 min
9
Take the ramp right
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
10
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
11
Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints
74 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
12
Take the exit slight right toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
13
Keep slight right
318 ft
·
9 sec
14
Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
29th Street Northeast
15
Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Oakland Road Northeast
16
Continue on Old Marion Road Northeast
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Marion Road Northeast
17
Turn left onto C Avenue Northeast
295 ft
·
12 sec
·
C Avenue Northeast
18
Turn right onto Collins Road Northeast
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Collins Road Northeast
19
Turn left onto 1st Avenue East
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
1st Avenue East
20
Continue on Marion Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Marion Boulevard
21
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
7th Avenue
22
Turn left onto 6th Street
315 ft
·
18 sec
·
6th Street
23
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
8th Avenue
24
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 2 hours, this 118.2-mile drive from Fort Madison to Marion is ideal for a spontaneous day trip. You can leave whenever is most convenient, as there are no long highway stretches to necessitate an early start. Since there are no specified stops on this route and the drive is short, you can easily adjust your pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $18, and it's always wise to top off before heading out, especially on local roads where fuel availability can vary. A specific tip for this route would be to familiarize yourself with the main roads mentioned – Avenue I, Avenue H, and 20th Street – as they are central to navigating the turn-heavy nature of this drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.1 miles from Fort Madison, IA, or about 1h into the drive.
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 26 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.1 miles or 1h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marion, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Madison, 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 Fort Madison, IA
This is one driving day of about 118.2 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Fort Madison, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.1 mi from Fort Madison, IA · 1h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.1 miles from Fort Madison, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Marion, IA
The final approach into Marion, 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 Marion, 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
$18.48 one way
$36.96 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.29 | $40.58 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.75 | $45.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.10 | $52.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.5 | 0 | $12.41 | $5.67 |
| Efficient EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.34 | $4.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.3 | 0 | $16.55 | $7.56 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Marion, IA
Late night in Marion on Saturday
Local time
2:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Washington, IA
59 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
24 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
2h 1m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Madison, IA to Marion, IA covers 118.2 miles and takes about 2h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue I, Avenue H, 20th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.1 miles from Fort Madison, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.48 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Fort Madison, IA to Marion, IA is easy. At 2h 1m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fort Madison, IA to Marion, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fort Madison, IA to Marion, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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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