Origin
Mason City, IA
Afternoon in Mason City on Sunday
Local time
1:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mason City, IA to Marshalltown, IA
Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
91.6 mi
147 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Mason City to Marshalltown, this 91.6-mile journey across Iowa is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 53 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route works perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $14 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your regional travels. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the drive maintains a consistent feel as you transition between these Iowa hubs. It is an ideal choice for travelers who prefer a direct, local connection over major interstate travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
45.8 miles from Mason City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate primarily via North Federal Avenue, 1st Street Northeast, and North Pennsylvania Avenue throughout the 91.6-mile trek. Because there are no long highway stretches, your attention will be consistently required on the local road network. The lack of major highway segments means the pace remains steady and grounded in the local infrastructure. You should prepare for a drive defined by turns rather than long, straight-line cruising, which gives the journey a distinct, hands-on feel behind the wheel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Federal Avenue 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 Mason City, IA to Marshalltown, IA is easy. At 1h 53m 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 Mason City, IA to Marshalltown, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Federal Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 1st Street Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Pennsylvania Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 8th Street Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Federal Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Partridge Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Highway C13 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 4th Street Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
North Federal Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mason City, IA and Marshalltown, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Street Northeast
23 ft
·
6 sec
·
2nd Street Northeast
2
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
328 ft
·
20 sec
·
North Federal Avenue
3
Turn left onto 1st Street Northeast
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
1st Street Northeast
4
Turn right onto North Pennsylvania Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Pennsylvania Avenue
5
Turn right onto 8th Street Southeast
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
8th Street Southeast
6
Turn left onto South Federal Avenue
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Federal Avenue
7
Continue on Partridge Avenue
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Partridge Avenue
8
Continue on County Highway C13
11 mi
·
16 min
·
County Highway C13
9
Continue on 4th Street Southeast
13 mi
·
17 min
·
4th Street Southeast
10
Turn left onto Hardin Street
8.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Hardin Street
11
Turn sharp right onto Butler Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Butler Street
12
Continue on County Highway S56
9.6 mi
·
16 min
·
County Highway S56
13
Continue on North 1st Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
North 1st Street
14
Continue on County Road S56
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
County Road S56
15
Turn left onto State Highway 175
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 175
16
Continue on 240th Street
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
240th Street
17
Turn right onto Sanford Avenue
20 mi
·
27 min
·
Sanford Avenue
18
Continue on North 3rd Avenue
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North 3rd Avenue
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it best suits your schedule without needing to worry about rigid timing. You won't have to plan for any mandatory stops, as you can complete the entire 91.6-mile distance in one go. Budgeting around $14 for fuel is a safe bet, so be sure to check your tank before heading out to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, keep your navigation tools handy to help you transition smoothly between North Federal Avenue and the other local roads. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to focus on the road ahead while enjoying the ease of a drive that keeps you off the busy highways.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.8 miles from Mason City, IA, or about 56m 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.8 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marshalltown, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mason 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 Mason City, IA
This is one driving day of about 91.6 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mason City, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.8 mi from Mason City, IA · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 45.8 miles from Mason City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Marshalltown, IA
The final approach into Marshalltown, 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 Marshalltown, 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
$13.91 one way
$27.83 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $15.34 | $30.68 |
| premium | $4.80 | $17.29 | $34.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.35 | $40.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.62 | $4.40 |
| Efficient EV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.01 | $3.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.82 | $5.86 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Marshalltown, IA
Afternoon in Marshalltown on Sunday
Local time
1:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
42°F
Waterloo, IA
46 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
5 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
1h 53m 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 Mason City, IA to Marshalltown, IA covers 91.6 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Federal Avenue, 1st Street Northeast, North Pennsylvania Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.8 miles from Mason City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.91 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.
The drive from Mason City, IA to Marshalltown, IA is easy. At 1h 53m 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 Mason City, IA to Marshalltown, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Mason City, IA to Marshalltown, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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