This 137.9-mile drive from Mason City, IA to Marion, IA, will take approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, making it a perfect one-day road trip. You'll primarily be on the Avenue of the Saints and I-380, with a relatively low 10% of the route being highway. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $22. This route stays within the Midwest region, traversing Iowa's heartland. With only one suggested stop and the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 109.7 miles on the Avenue of the Saints, it's a manageable drive for a single day.
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
68.9 miles from Mason City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
109.7 mi
2h 3m
Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.7 mi
8m
I 380
6.5 mi
7m
4th Street Southeast
2.7 mi
4m
Thrush Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Washington Street
2.4 mi
3m
Collins Road Northeast
2.1 mi
2m
Marion Boulevard
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 109.7 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mason City, IA and Marion, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Street Northeast
24 ft·6 sec·2nd Street Northeast
2
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
328 ft·19 sec·North Federal Avenue
3
Turn left onto 1st Street Northeast
0.5 mi·56 sec·1st Street Northeast
4
At end of road, turn left onto East State Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·East State Street
5
Turn slight right onto Maple Drive
0.4 mi·57 sec·Maple Drive
6
Turn left onto IA 122
2.7 mi·4 min·4th Street Southeast
7
Turn right onto CR S56
2.6 mi·3 min·Thrush Avenue
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
9
Merge onto US 18; IA 27
69 mi·1 hr 19 min·Avenue of the Saints
10
Take the exit
317 ft·7 sec
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
11
Continue on US 218
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 218
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
12
Merge onto US 218
6.7 mi·8 min·Leo P Rooff Expressway
13
Continue on US 218
2.4 mi·3 min·Washington Street
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
6.5 mi·7 min·I 380
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
41 mi·43 min·Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward IA 100
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·19 sec
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·27 sec
Toward IA 100
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
20
Turn left
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 east: Waterloo, MarionUse the straight lane.
21
Merge onto IA 100
0.3 mi·29 sec·Collins Road Northeast
22
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100
1.8 mi·2 min·Collins Road Northeast
23
Turn left onto 1st Avenue East
0.1 mi·22 sec·1st Avenue East
24
Continue on Marion Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Marion Boulevard
25
Continue on US 151 Business
0.3 mi·45 sec·7th Avenue
26
Turn left onto 6th Street
316 ft·17 sec·6th Street
27
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·8th Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
8th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 45-minute duration, departing Mason City in the morning allows ample time for a relaxed arrival in Marion. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimate of $22, you won't need extensive planning for this short, single-day trip. The longest continuous stretch is 109.7 miles on the Avenue of the Saints, so consider taking a break before embarking on that segment if you prefer shorter driving periods. Keep an eye out for any local road construction or detours, as a 'turn-heavy local drive' can be more susceptible to these than major interstates.
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 68.9 miles from Mason City, IA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.7 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 30 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.9 miles or 1h 23m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marion, 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 137.9 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Mason 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.
The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 109.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 85.7 and 133.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
85.7 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids,...
6
92.3 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
6
133.3 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IA 100
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward IA 100
7
133.6 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
7
133.7 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Turn left toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 east: Waterloo, Marion
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 east: W...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.56 one way
$43.12 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.67
$47.34
premium
$4.89
$26.54
$53.08
diesel
$5.61
$30.45
$60.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.4
0
$14.48
$6.62
Efficient EV
34.5
0
$12.07
$5.52
EV Truck/SUV
55.2
0
$19.31
$8.83
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Mason City, IA
Afternoon
in Mason City on Sunday
Local time
3:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Marion, IA
Afternoon
in Marion on Sunday
Local time
3:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
22 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
2h 45m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this trip, despite its proximity to expressways. While I-380 makes up a portion, the Avenue of the Saints will be your main companion for the longest stretch, accounting for 109.7 miles of your journey. The highway share is only 10%, indicating that you'll experience more of the local road network, with frequent turns and potentially varying speed limits. This suggests a drive that will likely feel more connected to the towns and landscapes you pass through, rather than a fast-paced interstate experience.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.7 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 85.7 miles in near I 380.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 137.9 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: at 85.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.3 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mason City, IA and Marion, IA, road signs point toward Dubuque and Cedar Falls.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 137.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 109.7 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Marion, 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: at 85.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.3 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Marion, IA before heading back.
