Mason City to North Liberty is 156 miles and takes about 3h 6m via Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest region on a mix of highways and surface roads. You'll spend most of your time on the Avenue of the Saints, covering 130 miles on this stretch before transitioning to other roads. It's a straightforward trip, ideal for a single-day drive when you want to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
78 miles from Mason City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
130 mi
2h 27m
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
West Penn Street
2 mi
4m
East State Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 130 mi, about 2h 27m
Traffic on I-380
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,943 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,357
Quietest
2 AM
~105 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Mason City, IA and North Liberty, 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
61 mi·1 hr 7 min·Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 4Toward CR F28: North Liberty
17
Turn left onto CR F28
0.2 mi·24 sec·250th Street Northwest
18
Continue on CR F28
2.0 mi·4 min·West Penn Street
19
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·North Dubuque Street
20
Continue on North Dubuque Street
158 ft·5 sec·North Dubuque Street
21
Arrive at destination
North Dubuque Street
Trip Plan
Since this trip is under four hours, leaving in the morning gives you plenty of flexibility for stops. The longest stretch without a break is 130 miles on the Avenue of the Saints, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or before you begin that longer segment. With a fuel cost estimate of $24, it's a budget-friendly drive. Keep an eye on your GPS as you transition from the Avenue of the Saints to I-380 and then to local roads near North Liberty to ensure you stay on the most direct path.
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 78 miles from Mason City, IA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130 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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78 miles or 1h 34m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Liberty, 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 156 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 130 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$1 to $10
Coralville, Iowa
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+13196255568
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 0 and 153.2 — 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|North Federal Avenue
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|1st Street Northeast
Turn left onto 1st Street Northeast
Navigation decision point
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
5
153.2 mi into trip|~3h in
Take the exit toward CR F28: North Liberty
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 4
Toward CR F28: North Liberty
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.94 one way
$51.87 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$28.25
$56.50
premium
$5.18
$31.83
$63.67
diesel
$5.35
$32.86
$65.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.8
0
$16.38
$7.49
Efficient EV
39
0
$13.65
$6.24
EV Truck/SUV
62.4
0
$21.84
$9.98
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Mason City, IA
Afternoon
in Mason City on Wednesday
Local time
3:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Destination
North Liberty, IA
Afternoon
in North Liberty on Wednesday
Local time
3:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 mph38% chanceLive forecast
66°F
Waterloo, IA
78 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
9 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
3h 6m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 is primarily on surface roads, with only about 9% of the 156 miles being highway. You'll have a substantial 130-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints, which offers a more consistent cruising experience before you encounter more local roads. Expect to navigate through towns and potentially encounter more varied traffic patterns as you get closer to North Liberty.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 130 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
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 early in the drive near North Federal Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
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 156 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: near the start (North Federal Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (1st Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 85.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,132 ft780 ft
Total Climb
128 ft
Total Descent
480 ft
Highest Point
1,132 ft
Elevation Range
352 ft
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 North Liberty, 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.
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 3h 6m. Total distance: 156 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (9%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 130 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Federal Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (1st Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 85.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at North Liberty, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
