Origin
Iowa City, IA
Afternoon in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
2:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Iowa City, IA to Mason City, IA
Drive Time
2h 41m
Distance
165 mi
266 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Iowa City, IA
Tom Fisk
Mason City, IA
Chris Flaten
Trip Overview
Traveling from Iowa City to Mason City covers 165 miles of Midwestern landscape, typically taking about 2 hours and 41 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $25 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The route primarily utilizes local roads like Kimball Road and North Dubuque Street before transitioning onto I-380. Whether you are heading north for business or a quick getaway, the trip offers a straightforward path across the heart of Iowa.
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
82.5 miles from Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route maintains a zero-percent highway share. You will navigate through varied terrain, relying on local connectors like North Dubuque Street to bridge the gap between departure and arrival. Because the path is composed entirely of local roads, you should remain attentive to changing speed limits and intersection turns throughout the 165-mile trek. This isn't a route for cruise control; instead, it demands active engagement as you transition between local road segments.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Kimball Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Iowa City, IA to Mason City, IA is easy. At 2h 41m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Iowa City, IA to Mason City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kimball Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Dubuque Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 380 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Avenue of the Saints | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-380 north | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Washington Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Leo P Rooff Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Washington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Kimball Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Mason City, IA.
1
Start on South Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Gilbert Street
2
Turn slight left onto Kimball Road
476 ft
·
22 sec
·
Kimball Road
3
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Dubuque Street
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
5
Merge slight left
4.1 mi
·
4 min
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 380, US 218, IA 27
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
71 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
9
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
10
Continue on West Washington Expressway
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
West Washington Expressway
11
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
0.7 mi
·
52 sec
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
12
Continue on West Washington Street
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Washington Street
13
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
14
Take the exit slight right
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
15
Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
16
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
69 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
17
Take the exit slight right toward CR S56: California Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
CR S56: California Avenue
18
Turn right onto Thrush Avenue
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Thrush Avenue
19
Turn left onto 4th Street Southeast
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
4th Street Southeast
20
Turn slight right onto Maple Drive
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Maple Drive
21
Turn left onto East State Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East State Street
22
Turn right onto 1st Street Northeast
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
1st Street Northeast
23
Turn right onto North Federal Avenue
328 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Federal Avenue
24
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
23 ft
·
1 sec
·
2nd Street Northeast
25
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since the drive takes under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid peak traffic. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $25 budget in mind as you map out service stations along the local roads. Because you are navigating Kimball Road and other local thoroughfares, stay alert for frequent turning points that can interrupt your flow. Taking advantage of the shorter duration allows you to reach Mason City with plenty of time left in your day for scheduled activities or local exploration.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 82.5 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
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 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.5 miles or 1h 20m 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 12m
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 Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA
This is one driving day of about 165 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Iowa City, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.5 mi from Iowa City, IA · 1h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 82.5 miles from Iowa City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.06 one way
$50.12 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $27.63 | $55.26 |
| premium | $4.80 | $31.15 | $62.30 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $36.66 | $73.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.5 | 0 | $17.33 | $7.92 |
| Efficient EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.44 | $6.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66 | 0 | $23.10 | $10.56 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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
Afternoon in Mason City on Sunday
Local time
2:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
42°F
Waterloo, IA
83 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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 41m 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 Iowa City, IA to Mason City, IA covers 165 miles and takes about 2h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Kimball Road, North Dubuque Street, I 380. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.5 miles from Iowa City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.06 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Iowa City, IA to Mason City, IA is easy. At 2h 41m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Iowa City, IA to Mason City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Iowa City, IA to Mason City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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