How far is Mason City, IA from Dubuque, IA?
The driving distance from Mason City, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 175.3 miles (282.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.2 miles (219.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mason City and Dubuque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mason City and Dubuque.
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1
Start on 2nd Street Northeast
7 m · 6 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
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2
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
100 m · 20 sec · North Federal Avenue
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3
Turn left onto 1st Street Northeast
2567 ft · 57 sec · 1st Street Northeast
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto East State Street
2988 ft · 60 sec · East State Street
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5
Turn slight right onto Maple Drive
2017 ft · 57 sec · Maple Drive
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6
Turn left onto 4th Street Southeast
2.7 mi · 4 min · 4th Street Southeast
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7
Turn right onto Thrush Avenue
2.6 mi · 4 min · Thrush Avenue
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8
Take the ramp left
2241 ft · 55 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
69.1 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Avenue of the Saints
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo
97 m · 8 sec
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11
Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo
1625 ft · 40 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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13
Continue on Washington Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · Washington Street
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
6.5 mi · 8 min
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15
Keep slight left
81.4 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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16
Turn left onto South Locust Street
553 ft · 18 sec · South Locust Street
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17
Turn straight onto IA 946
708 ft · 21 sec
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18
At the end of the road, turn left
128 m · 13 sec
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19
Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
1432 ft · 32 sec
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20
Continue on White Street
638 ft · 27 sec · White Street
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21
Turn left onto East 7th Street
87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street
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22
Turn left onto Central Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mason City and Dubuque.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I-380 south
Keep slight left
81.4 mi · 01h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Mason City and Sunny near Dubuque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mason City to Dubuque?
The road trip is about 175.3 miles (282.1 km) and usually takes 02h 51m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Evansdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.1 miles from Mason City and 88.2 miles from Dubuque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.2 miles (219.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.34 one way or $46.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mason City and Sunny near Dubuque.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mason City and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 136.22 mi (219.22 km).
#1 Mason City
City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
| Population | 26,931 |
| Coordinates | 43.1535700, -93.2010400 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dubuque
The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.
| Population | 57,781 |
| Coordinates | 42.5005600, -90.6645700 |
| Altitude | 189 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central Avenue (-90.664595, 42.500561)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 282 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.34 | $46.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.33 | $52.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.81 | $57.62 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.83 | $65.66 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Iowa · Apr 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.