This 205-mile journey from Linn County, IA, to Denison, IA, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 22 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of local roads and highways, with about 14% of your travel on higher-speed routes. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $32, making it an economical option for a quick getaway or a practical transfer between points within the Midwest. Expect a fairly turn-heavy local drive experience, so plan for a steady pace rather than a high-speed transit. With only one recommended stop, this route is well-suited for a straightforward day trip.
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
102.5 miles from Linn County, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 22m. Total distance: 205 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Prepare for a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile on this route, meaning you'll likely encounter more frequent turns and potentially slower speeds than on a pure interstate journey. While 14% of the drive utilizes highways, the majority of your time will be spent on local roads, including stretches of the historic Lincoln Highway and 220th Street, before reaching US 30. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 78.3 miles along the Lincoln Highway, offering a chance to settle in before the road becomes more varied. This road character suggests a drive that requires your attention but offers a more intimate experience of the Iowa landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 78.3 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 2.9 miles in near 10th Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 22m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles (10th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.2 miles (US 151 Business / 7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.9 mi into trip|~7m in|10th Street
Enter roundabout onto 10th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
3.2 mi into trip|~7m in|US 151 Business / 7th Avenue
Turn right onto US 151 Business / 7th Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
3.3 mi into trip|~8m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
15.7 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshall...
4
204.7 mi into trip|~4h 21m in|South Main Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
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 Linn County, IA to Denison, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marshalltown along the way.
Marshalltown
15.7 mi in|~23m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lincoln Highway
78.3 mi
1h 30m
220th Street
43.6 mi
57m
US 30
29.4 mi
43m
73rd Street
24.4 mi
28m
Collins Road Northeast
11.2 mi
13m
County Road N33
10.3 mi
13m
10th Street
3.2 mi
7m
16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 78.3 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Linn County, IA and Denison, IA.
1
Start on 10th Street
2.9 mi·7 min·10th Street
2
Enter roundabout onto 10th Street
38 ft·1 sec·10th Street
3
Continue on 10th Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·10th Street
4
Turn right onto US 151 Business
0.2 mi·21 sec·7th Avenue
5
Enter roundabout
103 ft·4 sec
6
Continue
130 ft·5 sec
7
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi·47 sec·7th Avenue
8
Continue on US 151 Business
0.6 mi·1 min·Marion Boulevard
9
Continue on US 151 Business
0.1 mi·18 sec·1st Avenue East
10
Turn right onto IA 100
11 mi·13 min·Collins Road Northeast
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
12
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi·2 min·16th Avenue Southwest
13
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi·28 min·73rd Street
14
Continue on US 30
78 mi·1 hr 30 min·Lincoln Highway
15
Continue on US 30
44 mi·57 min·220th Street
16
Continue on US 30
10 mi·13 min·County Road N33
17
Continue on US 30
29 mi·43 min·US 30
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·South Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 22-minute duration and 205-mile distance, this route is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and any brief stops you might need. With only one recommended stop and a turn-heavy profile, be mindful of your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 78.3-mile stretch on the Lincoln Highway. The estimated fuel cost of $32 is a good baseline, but it's always wise to have a buffer. Since this isn't an exhaustive multi-day expedition, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time and pace as needed.
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 102.5 miles from Linn County, IA, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.3 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 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.5 miles or 2h 4m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denison, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Linn County, 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 Linn County, IA
This is one driving day of about 205 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Linn County, 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 Lincoln Highway for about 78.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102.5 mi from Linn County, IA
· 2h 4m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.05 one way
$64.10 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.19
$70.38
premium
$4.89
$39.45
$78.90
diesel
$5.61
$45.26
$90.52
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: 71.7 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
$21.53
$9.84
Efficient EV
51.3
0
$17.94
$8.20
EV Truck/SUV
82
1
$28.70
$13.12
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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Linn County, IA
Morning
in Linn County on Friday
Local time
8:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Denison, IA
Morning
in Denison on Friday
Local time
8:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 22m 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 Linn County, IA to Denison, IA covers 205 miles and takes about 4h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lincoln Highway, 220th Street, US 30. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 102.5 miles from Linn County, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.05 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 22m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles (10th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.2 miles (US 151 Business / 7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
On the drive from Linn County, IA to Denison, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marshalltown along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
