Bettendorf to Mason City is 220.9 miles and takes about 4h 18m via Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, moving through the Midwest region. The route offers a mixed highway and surface road experience, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Expect a fairly direct path with manageable driving times and costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
110.5 miles from Bettendorf, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
139.4 mi
2h 37m
I 80
57.5 mi
1h 3m
I 380
5.6 mi
7m
I 74
4.4 mi
5m
4th Street Southeast
2.7 mi
4m
Thrush Avenue
2.4 mi
3m
Leo P Rooff Expressway
2.1 mi
2m
West Washington Street
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 139.4 mi, about 2h 37m
Traffic on I-380
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,955 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,469
Quietest
2 AM
~105 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bettendorf, IA and Mason City, IA.
1
Start on this road
74 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto 12th Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·12th Street
3
Continue on Kimberly Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Kimberly Road
4
Turn right onto Middle Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Middle Road
5
Turn left
0.2 mi·24 sec
6
Merge onto I 74; US 6
4.4 mi·5 min·I 74; US 6
7
Merge onto I 80
57 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 80
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
10
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
71 mi·1 hr 18 min·Avenue of the Saints
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
5.6 mi·7 min·I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
12
Continue on US 218
0.2 mi·18 sec·West Washington Expressway
13
Continue on US 218
0.7 mi·51 sec·Leo P Rooff Expressway
14
Continue on US 218
1.3 mi·1 min·West Washington Street
15
Continue on US 218
1.4 mi·1 min·Leo P Rooff Expressway
16
Take the exit onto US 218
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 218
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218
0.5 mi·58 sec·US 218
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
18
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
69 mi·1 hr 19 min·Avenue of the Saints
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CR S56: California Avenue
20
Turn right onto CR S56
2.4 mi·3 min·Thrush Avenue
21
Turn left onto IA 122
2.7 mi·4 min·4th Street Southeast
22
Turn slight right onto Maple Drive
0.4 mi·55 sec·Maple Drive
23
Turn left onto East State Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East State Street
24
Turn right onto 1st Street Northeast
0.5 mi·55 sec·1st Street Northeast
25
Turn right onto North Federal Avenue
328 ft·16 sec·North Federal Avenue
26
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
24 ft·1 sec·2nd Street Northeast
27
Arrive at destination
2nd Street Northeast
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 4 hours, this route is easily completed in one day. Consider departing Bettendorf in the morning to maximize daylight. You'll have one recommended stop, likely for a break or to refuel. Given the relatively short distance, you have flexibility in your timing and can adjust your pace as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 139.4-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints, as services might be less frequent.
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 110.5 miles from Bettendorf, IA, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.4 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 49 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.5 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 29m
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 Bettendorf, 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 Bettendorf, IA
This is one driving day of about 220.9 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Bettendorf, 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 139.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 144.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|12th Street
Turn right onto 12th Street
Navigation decision point
5
63.5 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
6
63.9 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar...
6
135.3 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
144.8 mi into trip|~2h 46m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.25 one way
$68.50 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$37.55
$75.11
premium
$4.93
$42.86
$85.72
diesel
$5.60
$48.69
$97.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.3
0
$23.19
$10.60
Efficient EV
55.2
0
$19.33
$8.84
EV Truck/SUV
88.4
1
$30.93
$14.14
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Aug 22, 2026
Origin
Bettendorf, IA
Late night
in Bettendorf on Friday
Local time
3:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
NW 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mason City, IA
Late night
in Mason City on Friday
Local time
3:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
NNW 2 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
68°F
Independence, IA
110 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
3 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
4h 18m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 32% highway driving, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on the Avenue of the Saints covers 139.4 miles. You'll notice a shift as highway segments give way to more rural cruising on local roads. Expect a mix of faster travel and slower-paced navigation.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139.4 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 12th Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 220.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 63.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,132 ft569 ft
Total Climb
678 ft
Total Descent
116 ft
Highest Point
1,132 ft
~221.8 mi in
Elevation Range
563 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bettendorf, IA to Mason City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Waterloo along the way.
Mason City is a city in Iowa, renowned for its collection of architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright and other Prairie School architects, considered the most significant concentration of such architecture outside of Oak Park, Illinois.
Top landmarks
•Dr. G.C. Stockman House — house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
•Park Inn Hotel — hotel in Mason City, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 220.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.4 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Mason City, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 63.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Mason City, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
