How far is Mason City, IA from Fort Madison, IA?
The driving distance from Mason City, IA to Fort Madison, IA is about 247.7 miles (398.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 199.5 miles (321.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 53m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mason City and Fort Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mason City and Fort Madison.
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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 right to continue on Avenue of the Saints
115.8 mi · 2 hr 11 min · Avenue of the Saints
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints
25.8 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints
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17
Take the exit slight right toward IA 2: Donnellson, Fort Madison
2195 ft · 59 sec
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18
Turn left onto State Highway 2
8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 2
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19
Continue on Avenue O
1.7 mi · 3 min · Avenue O
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20
Continue on Old Highway 61
1602 ft · 27 sec · Old Highway 61
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21
Continue on Avenue L
1.5 mi · 3 min · Avenue L
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22
Turn left onto 18th Street
1019 ft · 21 sec · 18th Street
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23
Turn right onto Avenue H
1.3 km · 1 min · Avenue H
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24
Turn right onto Avenue I
42 m · 12 sec · Avenue I
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25
Turn left
19 m · 4 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mason City and Fort Madison.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints
116 mi · 02h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Mason City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mason City to Fort Madison?
The road trip is about 247.7 miles (398.6 km) and usually takes 04h 53m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Center Point is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.8 miles from Mason City and 123.8 miles from Fort Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 199.5 miles (321.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.96 one way or $65.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Mason City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Madison.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mason City and Fort Madison. Straight-line distance: 199.53 mi (321.11 km).
#1 Mason City
City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
| Population | 26,931 |
| Coordinates | 43.1535700, -93.2010400 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Madison
City and county seat in Lee County, Iowa
| Population | 10,263 |
| Coordinates | 40.6297600, -91.3151500 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fort Madison (-91.31515, 40.62976)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 399 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.96 | $65.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.17 | $74.34 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.68 | $81.35 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.36 | $92.71 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.