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Trip from Keokuk, IA to Mason City, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 1m

Distance

254 mi

409 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 48m ★
6 AM
5h 2m
8 AM
5h 29m
10 AM
5h 11m
12 PM
5h 8m
3 PM
5h 13m
5 PM
5h 27m
8 PM
4h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Keokuk, IA, IA

Keokuk, IA

Egor Komarov

city and the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States

Mason City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Keokuk, IA to Mason City, IA is 254 miles and takes about 5h 1m via Avenue of the Saints, US 218, and US 61, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, connecting two points in the Midwest region. Most of this drive will be on surface roads, so expect a more local feel rather than high-speed interstate cruising. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under six hours, this is a straightforward, one-day trip.

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

127 miles from Keokuk, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avenue of the Saints 218.1 mi 4h 8m
US 218 10.4 mi 16m
US 61 5.6 mi 6m
I 380 5.6 mi 7m
Main Street 3.5 mi 5m
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 — 218.1 mi, about 4h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Keokuk, IA and Mason City, IA.

1

Start on US 136

3.5 mi · 5 min · Main Street
2

Continue on US 61; US 218

5.6 mi · 6 min · US 61; US 218
3

Turn left onto US 218

9.2 mi · 13 min · US 218
4

Take the ramp onto US 218

0.4 mi · 57 sec · US 218
5

Merge onto US 218; IA 27

27 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints
6

Keep slight left at fork onto US 218; IA 27

123 mi · 2 hr 18 min · Avenue of the Saints
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

5.6 mi · 7 min · I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
8

Continue on US 218

0.2 mi · 18 sec · West Washington Expressway
9

Continue on US 218

0.7 mi · 51 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
10

Continue on US 218

1.3 mi · 1 min · West Washington Street
11

Continue on US 218

1.4 mi · 1 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
12

Take the exit onto US 218

0.2 mi · 31 sec · US 218
13

Keep slight right at fork onto US 218

0.5 mi · 58 sec · US 218
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
14

Merge onto US 218; IA 27

69 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints
15

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward CR S56: California Avenue
16

Turn right onto CR S56

2.4 mi · 3 min · Thrush Avenue
17

Turn left onto IA 122

2.7 mi · 4 min · 4th Street Southeast
18

Turn slight right onto Maple Drive

0.4 mi · 55 sec · Maple Drive
19

Turn left onto East State Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East State Street
20

Turn right onto 1st Street Northeast

0.5 mi · 55 sec · 1st Street Northeast
21

Turn right onto North Federal Avenue

328 ft · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue
22

Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast

24 ft · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
23

Arrive at destination

2nd Street Northeast

Trip Plan

You can easily complete this drive in a single day, making it flexible for departure times. Consider leaving mid-morning to allow for a relaxed start and still arrive with plenty of daylight. With a duration of just over 5 hours, you'll only need one planned stop, which could be for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on US 218 is substantial, and services might be spaced out. Planning your one stop around the halfway point or where US 218 is most prominent could be efficient.

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 127 miles from Keokuk, IA, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 218.1 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 56 miles or 1h 9m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 127 miles or 2h 29m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 4m

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 Keokuk, 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 Keokuk, IA

This is one driving day of about 254 miles and 5h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Keokuk, 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 218.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Vinton, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vinton, IA

127 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.

Popular next leg

Vinton, IA to Mason City, IA

119.3 mi · 2h 26m

Pacing Suggestions

Iowa City, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 127 miles from Keokuk, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 218.1 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Kava House & Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Swisher, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.8

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+13198575000

Visit website

Midtown Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

1.5 mi

Cedar Ridge Distillery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Swisher, Iowa

1.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Sidekick Coffee & Books

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 90.7

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+13195691010

Visit website

DAYDRINK

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

2.6 mi

Zoetic Coffee- Iowa City

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

2.1 mi

Kava House & Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.8

Swisher, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+13198575000

Visit website

Midtown Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7:30 pm

+13193519323

Visit website

Cedar Ridge Distillery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 108.8

Swisher, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13198574300

Visit website

La Regia Taqueria

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193418226

Visit website

Black Squirrel Tap

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.8

Swisher, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13198574447

Visit website

Big Grove Brewery & Taproom

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+13193542687

Visit website

Exotic India

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11:15 am–2:25 pm

+13193544710

Visit website

Oryza Asian Cuisine & Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13198000888

Visit website

Sidekick Coffee & Books

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+13195691010

Visit website

DAYDRINK

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Zoetic Coffee- Iowa City

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+13196403063

Visit website

Java House Coffee Roasters - First Ave

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+13192482074

Visit website

Kindred Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

The Black Angel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+13193591848

Visit website

Power Café

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13193843427

Visit website

The Filling Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

+13193357510

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 254

Mason City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 217.7

Charles City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 90.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 90.7

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 90.7

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+31880109500

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 254

Mason City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.4 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.6 mi from route

Rest Area

2.1 mi from route

Rest Area

2.2 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 9.1 and 254 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
9.1 mi into trip | ~12m in | US 218

Turn left onto US 218

Navigation decision point

4
45.3 mi into trip | ~57m in | US 218; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left at fork onto US 218; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

6
168.4 mi into trip | ~3h 16m 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
177.9 mi into trip | ~3h 29m 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
254 mi into trip | ~5h 1m in | 2nd Street Northeast

Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.71 one way

$79.42 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 89 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $43.60 $87.20
premium $4.89 $48.88 $97.76
diesel $5.61 $56.08 $112.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 88.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 76.2 0 $26.67 $12.19
Efficient EV 63.5 0 $22.22 $10.16
EV Truck/SUV 101.6 1 $35.56 $16.26

Gas CO2

89 kg

EV CO2

30 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Keokuk, IA

Late night in Keokuk on Sunday

Local time

5:27 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mason City, IA

Late night in Mason City on Sunday

Local time

5:27 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Vinton, IA

127 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

17 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

5h 1m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is primarily surface roads, with only about 9% on highways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on Avenue of the Saints, covering 218.1 miles. Expect to transition from highway driving to more local roads as you progress. The majority of your time will be spent on roads with more frequent intersections and lower speed limits, typical of rural cruising.

Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 218.1 mi on Avenue of the Saints.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 9.1 miles in near US 218.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 254 miles you will encounter 14 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 9.1 miles (US 218): Navigation decision point; at 45.3 miles (US 218; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 168.4 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in Mason City, IA

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 254 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 218.1 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles (US 218): Navigation decision point; at 45.3 miles (US 218; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 168.4 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mason City, IA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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