An approach is provided for rendering a distance marker in an image. The approach, for example, involves determining a plurality of camera characteristics of a camera used to capture the image. The plurality of camera characteristics, for instance, can include a camera field of view, a horizon offset, a camera mounting height, a camera mounting axis, or a combination thereof. The approach also involves determining a ground plane extending to a horizon depicted in the image, a camera position with respect to the ground plane, and an image plane based on the plurality of characteristics, wherein the image plane is orthogonal to the ground plane and intersects the ground plane at a designated distance from the camera position. The approach further involves projecting a ray from the camera position through the distance marker on the ground plane to a marker position on the image plane, and rendering the distance marker in the image based on the marker position on the image plane.