Trip from Iowa City, IA to Mason City, IA

Drive Time

2h 41m

Distance

165 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Same-day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Iowa City, IA to Mason City, IA covers 165 miles and takes about 2h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Kimball Road, North Dubuque Street, I 380 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.50 one way before food or hotel costs.

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.

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 41m drive with frequent turns across 165 miles of local and secondary roads.

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.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Kimball Road	0 mi	0m
North Dubuque Street	0 mi	0m
I 380	0 mi	0m
Avenue of the Saints	0 mi	0m
I-380 north	0 mi	0m
West Washington Expressway	0 mi	0m
Leo P Rooff Expressway	0 mi	0m
West Washington Street	0 mi	0m

Longest stretch: Kimball Road — 0 mi, about 0m

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on South Gilbert Street

2

Turn slight left onto Kimball Road

3

Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

4

Turn left

5

Merge slight left

6

Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

7

Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

8

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

9

Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

10

Continue on West Washington Expressway

11

Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway

12

Continue on West Washington Street

13

Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway

14

Take the exit slight right

15

Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly

16

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

17

Take the exit slight right toward CR S56: California Avenue

18

Turn right onto Thrush Avenue

19

Turn left onto 4th Street Southeast

20

Turn slight right onto Maple Drive

21

Turn left onto East State Street

22

Turn right onto 1st Street Northeast

23

Turn right onto North Federal Avenue

24

Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast

25

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 82.5 miles

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Last hour of driving

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.

Trip Strategy

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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Waterloo, IA

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.

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

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.

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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 82.5 mi from Iowa City, IA

Cedar Rapids, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waterloo, IA

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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions for the drive, so the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
regular	$3.77	$24.50	$48.99
midgrade	$4.25	$27.63	$55.26
premium	$4.65	$30.23	$60.47
diesel	$5.30	$34.46	$68.91

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 57.7 kg one way.

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 $24.50 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.