Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
58 mi
93 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marshalltown, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Clive, IA
DS stories
The drive from Marshalltown, IA to Clive, IA covers 58 miles and takes about 1h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on IA 330, John MacVicar Freeway, US 65 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.9 miles on IA 330. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.07 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 15m. Total distance: 58 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 1h 15m highway drive covering 58 miles, with most of the trip on IA 330 and John MacVicar Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 35.9 miles on IA 330.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IA 330 and John MacVicar Freeway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Main Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 58 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 41.5 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto East Main Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward 73rd Street, 8th Street, Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto University Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IA 330 | 35.9 mi | 42m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 10.2 mi | 13m |
| US 65 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| West Lincolnway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Marshalltown Boulevard | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| East Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South 3rd Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 73rd Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Marshalltown, IA and Clive, IA.
Start on IA 14
Turn right onto East Main Street
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
Turn right onto West Madison Street
Turn straight onto West Lincolnway
Continue on Marshalltown Boulevard
Continue on IA 330
Take the exit onto US 65
Take the exit
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
Take the exit
Turn left onto 73rd Street
Turn left onto University Avenue
Turn right onto Northwest 78th Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29 mi from Marshalltown, IA · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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.
A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 29 miles from Marshalltown, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Clive, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$9.07 one way
$18.14 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.96 | $19.91 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.16 | $22.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.81 | $25.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.09 | $2.78 |
| Efficient EV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.07 | $2.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.12 | $3.71 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Marshalltown on Saturday
Local time
10:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Clive on Saturday
Local time
10:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
72°F
Colfax, IA
29 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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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