Marion, Iowa to Mount Rushmore: Road Trip Guide & Distance

612.6 miles 985.9 km · straight line
735.1 miles estimated 1183.1 km · driving distance
14h 47min estimated drive time
$71 - $87 estimated fuel cost
~1h 44min flight time
286° WNW bearing direction

How far is Marion, Iowa from Mount Rushmore?

The distance from Marion, Iowa to Mount Rushmore is 612.6 miles (985.9 km) as the crow flies. Mount Rushmore is located WNW of Marion, Iowa. By car, the driving distance is approximately 735.1 miles, taking about 14h 47min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 44min. Both are located in United States — Marion, Iowa in Iowa and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare.

Coordinates come from public place data for Marion, Iowa and Mount Rushmore. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Marion, Iowa to Mount Rushmore

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 14h 47min $71 - $87 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 44min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~17h 44min $59–$110* Budget
Train ~19h 13min $88–$257* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Marion, Iowa & Mount Rushmore

Quick Facts

Marion, Iowa
42.03°N, 91.60°W
America/Chicago
259m elevation
Mount Rushmore
43.88°N, 103.46°W
America/Chicago
1745m elevation
Explore more routes from Mount Rushmore

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 204 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 51 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 40.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients