Muscatine to Mason City is 203.9 miles and takes about 4h 3m via Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, connecting two points in the Midwest. The profile is mostly surface roads, suggesting a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate drive. You'll spend a good portion of your time on state highways and local roads, which can offer a different perspective on the landscape. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination with time to spare.
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
101.9 miles from Muscatine, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
139.4 mi
2h 37m
I 80
30.9 mi
33m
State Highway 38
7.6 mi
10m
I 380
5.6 mi
7m
US 6
4.9 mi
7m
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
— 139.4 mi, about 2h 37m
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 Muscatine, IA and Mason City, IA.
1
Start on Walnut Street
157 ft·10 sec·Walnut Street
2
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
360 ft·17 sec·East 3rd Street
3
Turn right onto Mulberry Avenue
330 ft·9 sec·Mulberry Avenue
4
Enter roundabout onto US 61 Business
193 ft·3 sec·East 2nd Street
5
Continue on US 61 Business
0.6 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
6
Continue on US 61 Business; IA 38; IA 92
2.0 mi·4 min·Park Avenue
7
Continue on IA 38
7.6 mi·10 min·State Highway 38
8
Continue on US 6
4.9 mi·7 min·US 6
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
10
Merge onto I 80
31 mi·33 min·I 80
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
13
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
71 mi·1 hr 18 min·Avenue of the Saints
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
5.6 mi·7 min·I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
15
Continue on US 218
0.2 mi·18 sec·West Washington Expressway
16
Continue on US 218
0.7 mi·51 sec·Leo P Rooff Expressway
17
Continue on US 218
1.3 mi·1 min·West Washington Street
18
Continue on US 218
1.4 mi·1 min·Leo P Rooff Expressway
19
Take the exit onto US 218
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 218
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218
0.5 mi·58 sec·US 218
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
21
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
69 mi·1 hr 19 min·Avenue of the Saints
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CR S56: California Avenue
23
Turn right onto CR S56
2.4 mi·3 min·Thrush Avenue
24
Turn left onto IA 122
2.7 mi·4 min·4th Street Southeast
25
Turn slight right onto Maple Drive
0.4 mi·55 sec·Maple Drive
26
Turn left onto East State Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East State Street
27
Turn right onto 1st Street Northeast
0.5 mi·55 sec·1st Street Northeast
28
Turn right onto North Federal Avenue
328 ft·16 sec·North Federal Avenue
29
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
24 ft·1 sec·2nd Street Northeast
30
Arrive at destination
2nd Street Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, departing in the morning from Muscatine will easily get you to Mason City before evening. With only one recommended stop and a majority of the route on surface roads, you have flexibility in timing your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 139.4-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints, as services might be less frequent than on major interstates. The fuel cost is estimated at $31, so plan accordingly. This is a straightforward drive that doesn't require complex planning, making it ideal for a spontaneous trip.
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 101.9 miles from Muscatine, IA, or about 2h 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 45 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.9 miles or 2h 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 17m
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 Muscatine, 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 Muscatine, IA
This is one driving day of about 203.9 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Muscatine, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 127.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 61 Business / East 2nd Street
Enter roundabout onto US 61 Business / East 2nd Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
46.5 mi into trip|~58m 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
46.8 mi into trip|~58m 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
118.2 mi into trip|~2h 18m 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
127.7 mi into trip|~2h 31m 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
$30.11 one way
$60.22 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.24
$66.48
premium
$4.72
$37.86
$75.72
diesel
$4.80
$38.50
$77.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.2
0
$21.41
$9.79
Efficient EV
51
0
$17.84
$8.16
EV Truck/SUV
81.6
1
$28.55
$13.05
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Muscatine, IA
Morning
in Muscatine on Sunday
Local time
6:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Clear then Patchy Smoke
NE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:08PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Destination
Mason City, IA
Morning
in Mason City on Sunday
Local time
6:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
NE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:08PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
86°F
Waterloo, IA
102 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
6 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 3m 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 is primarily on surface roads, with only 26% of the route on highways like I 80. You'll experience a longest stretch of 139.4 miles on the Avenue of the Saints before transitioning to more local routes. Expect to encounter more intersections and varied speed limits as you move away from the interstate. The majority of your time will be spent on two-lane roads, characteristic of rural Midwest travel.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 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?
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 0.2 miles in near US 61 Business / East 2nd Street.
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 17 significant decision points across 203.9 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 0.2 miles (US 61 Business / East 2nd Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 46.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,132 ft576 ft
Total Climb
633 ft
Total Descent
77 ft
Highest Point
1,132 ft
~203.9 mi in
Elevation Range
556 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 Muscatine, 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 3m. Total distance: 203.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads 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: at 0.2 miles (US 61 Business / East 2nd Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 46.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Mason City, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
