Major city · United States
Marshalltown
Skip unless you have a specific reason (family, work, or the blacksmith shop). Half a day is enough: see the Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop, eat a loose-meat sandwich, then move on to Des Moines or Ames.
Marshalltown is a small city in Central Iowa, best known as a stop on US 30 and for the Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop, a National Register site. The downtown has a few eateries and a bus stop, but most travellers will find more to do in Des Moines (50 min) or Ames (30 min).
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, fewer hours at outdoor sites)
- Airport
- DSM
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Marshalltown911 ▾
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Marshalltown, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyMarshalltown is a quiet, low-crime city.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDSM Des Moines International Airport (Nearest major airport; about 50 min drive.
- Getting aroundCar is easiest.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DSM Des Moines International Airport (Nearest major airport; about 50 min drive. No scheduled passenger service to Marshalltown Municipal Airport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Jan (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Marshalltown: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
7 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
7 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is easiest. Marshalltown Municipal Transit (MMT) runs a few routes weekdays 8 AM–6 PM; the free D-Line covers downtown. Walking is fine for the compact centre.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 50 min
US 30 east then I-35 south, about 50 min by car
State capital with museums, breweries and the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Door to door: 30 min
US 30 west, about 30 min by car
Home of Iowa State University; walkable campus and Main Street.
Grinnell
goDoor to door: 25 min
US 30 east, about 25 min by car
Liberal-arts college town with a historic downtown and farmers market.
Door to door: 20 min
US 30 east then IA 14 south, about 20 min by car
Iowa Speedway and the Jasper County Historical Museum.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
South Center Street
Hotels near US 30, including Rock Island Inn & Suites. Car needed.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–80
- Mid
- $80–150
- High
- $150+
Watch out
Safety
- Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop open only Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, noon–4 PM daily.
- No Uber or Lyft coverage confirmed; check before relying on rideshare.
- Greyhound and Burlington Trailways stop at 2101 South Center St, not downtown.
Emergency numbers
- Police, Fire, Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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MarshalltownMarshalltown
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
Embassy
Embassies are in Washington, DC; consulates in Chicago or Des Moines (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Des Moines Airport → Marshalltown by car: about 50 min, rental car or taxi (check)
- Greyhound Des Moines → Marshalltown: about 1 h, check schedule and fare
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (HEH-loh)
- Thank you — Thank you (THANK yoo)
- How much? — How much? (HOW MUCH)
- Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop? (WAIR iz thuh BUS stop)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Marshalltown. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, fewer hours at outdoor sites) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Marshalltown
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