Origin
Anamosa, IA
Morning in Anamosa on Wednesday
Local time
6:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Anamosa, IA to Mason City, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 5m
Distance
151.1 mi
243 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 54m
★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Anamosa, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Mason City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 151.1-mile drive from Anamosa, IA to Mason City, IA is a straightforward one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes. Budget around $24 for fuel. You'll spend about 6% of your time on major highways, with the majority of the route following local roads. The Avenue of the Saints accounts for the longest stretch at 110.7 miles, offering a consistent driving experience for much of the journey. This route stays within the Midwest region, providing a familiar landscape throughout. It's a practical choice for a quick getaway or a transit day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.5 miles from Anamosa, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 151.1-mile journey between Anamosa and Mason City. With only 6% of the route on highways, you'll be navigating county roads and smaller state routes for the bulk of your trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 110.7 miles along the Avenue of the Saints, which should provide a good pace for a while. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; rather, it's a route that keeps you engaged with more frequent directional changes as you traverse the Iowa landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 110.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Cemetery Road.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 151.1 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 0.6 miles (Cemetery Road): Navigation decision point; at 20.4 miles (County Home Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 65.4 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Cemetery Road
At end of road, turn left onto Cemetery Road
Navigation decision point
5
20.4 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
County Home Road
Enter roundabout onto County Home Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
65.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
6
74.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
US 218
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218 toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
5
151.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m in
|
2nd Street Northeast
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 110.7 mi | 2h 4m |
| County Home Road | 16.4 mi | 22m |
| I 380 | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Fairview Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| County Road E34 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| 4th Street Southeast | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Thrush Avenue | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Leo P Rooff Expressway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 110.7 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anamosa, IA and Mason City, IA.
1
Start on CR E28
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto CR E34
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Elm Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Cemetery Road
41 ft
·
1 sec
·
Cemetery Road
4
Turn right onto CR E34
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Elm Street
5
Continue on CR E34
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road E34
6
Turn right onto CR E34
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Fairview Road
7
Continue on CR E34
12 mi
·
16 min
·
County Home Road
8
Enter roundabout onto CR E34
120 ft
·
2 sec
·
County Home Road
9
Continue on CR E34
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
County Home Road
10
Enter roundabout onto County Home Road
134 ft
·
2 sec
·
County Home Road
11
Continue on County Home Road
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
County Home Road
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
13
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
42 mi
·
45 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
15
Continue on US 218
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
West Washington Expressway
16
Continue on US 218
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
17
Continue on US 218
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Washington Street
18
Continue on US 218
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
19
Take the exit onto US 218
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 218
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
US 218
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
21
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
69 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward CR S56: California Avenue
23
Turn right onto CR S56
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Thrush Avenue
24
Turn left onto IA 122
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
4th Street Southeast
25
Turn slight right onto Maple Drive
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Maple Drive
26
Turn left onto East State Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East State Street
27
Turn right onto 1st Street Northeast
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
1st Street Northeast
28
Turn right onto North Federal Avenue
328 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Federal Avenue
29
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
24 ft
·
1 sec
·
2nd Street Northeast
30
Arrive at destination
2nd Street Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, this 151.1-mile trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential for an unplanned stop. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $24, you have flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 110.7-mile stretch on Avenue of the Saints, as services might be less frequent in rural areas. This route's local road nature means paying attention to signage will be key to staying on track.
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 75.5 miles from Anamosa, IA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.7 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 80 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.5 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mason City, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anamosa, 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 Anamosa, IA
This is one driving day of about 151.1 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Anamosa, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 110.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.5 mi from Anamosa, IA · 1h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.5 miles from Anamosa, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.7 miles.
Arriving in Mason City, IA
The final approach into Mason City, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Mason City, IA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.62 one way
$47.25 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.94 | $51.87 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.08 | $58.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.36 | $66.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.3 | 0 | $15.87 | $7.25 |
| Efficient EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.22 | $6.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.4 | 0 | $21.15 | $9.67 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Mason City, IA
Morning in Mason City on Wednesday
Local time
6:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Waterloo, IA
76 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 5m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Anamosa, IA to Mason City, IA covers 151.1 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, County Home Road, I 380. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.5 miles from Anamosa, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.62 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 151.1 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Cemetery Road): Navigation decision point; at 20.4 miles (County Home Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 65.4 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Anamosa, IA to Mason City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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