How far is Mason City, IA from Muscatine, IA?

The driving distance from Mason City, IA to Muscatine, IA is about 204.8 miles (329.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 162.6 miles (261.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
204.79 mi
04h 05m
Flight
162.58 mi
261.65 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mason City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
162.58 mi
Kilometers
261.65 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
204.79 mi
Kilometers
329.57 km
Drive Time
04h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Muscatine
Tue, May 12, 11:32 PM CDT
Return by in Mason City
Wed, May 13, 3:37 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mason City
2026-05-12T19:26
Arrive Muscatine
Tue, May 12, 11:32 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:05 AM to 12:05 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:50 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mason City
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Brandon
IA

City in Iowa

From Mason City
102.3 mi
02h 02m
To Muscatine
102.5 mi
02h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 24 mph WSW
Destination
76°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Mason City and Muscatine.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mason City and Muscatine.

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Street Northeast

    7 m · 6 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Federal Avenue

    100 m · 20 sec · North Federal Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 1st Street Northeast

    2567 ft · 57 sec · 1st Street Northeast

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East State Street

    2988 ft · 60 sec · East State Street

  5. 5

    Turn slight right onto Maple Drive

    2017 ft · 57 sec · Maple Drive

  6. 6

    Turn left onto 4th Street Southeast

    2.7 mi · 4 min · 4th Street Southeast

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Thrush Avenue

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Thrush Avenue

  8. 8

    Take the ramp left

    2241 ft · 55 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    69.1 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Avenue of the Saints

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo

    97 m · 8 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo

    1625 ft · 40 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway

    6.7 mi · 8 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  13. 13

    Continue on Washington Street

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Washington Street

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls

    6.5 mi · 8 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    64.7 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Avenue of the Saints

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    31 mi · 34 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, IA 38 South: Wilton, Muscatine

    1254 ft · 31 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Rose Avenue

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Rose Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on United States Highway 6

    2583 ft · 44 sec · United States Highway 6

  22. 22

    Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

  23. 23

    Continue on State Highway 38

    9.5 mi · 15 min · State Highway 38

  24. 24

    Continue on East 2nd Street

    1 km · 1 min · East 2nd Street

  25. 25

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Mulberry Avenue

    4 m · 1 sec · Mulberry Avenue

  26. 26

    Exit the roundabout onto Mulberry Avenue

    108 m · 16 sec · Mulberry Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn left onto East 3rd Street

    110 m · 18 sec · East 3rd Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Walnut Street

    48 m · 5 sec · Walnut Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Walnut Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Mason City and Muscatine.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
29 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
134 mi · 65%
I 80 East
32.3 mi · 16%
State Highway 38
9.55 mi · 5%
Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.66 mi · 3%
I-380 south
6.54 mi · 3%
Thrush Avenue
3.01 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

69.1 mi · 01h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 05m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+42.2 mi
162.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brandon
02h 02m from Mason City
Leave By
8:50 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny leaving Mason City and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Muscatine.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Mason City to Muscatine?

The road trip is about 204.8 miles (329.6 km) and usually takes 04h 05m 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?

Brandon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.3 miles from Mason City and 102.5 miles from Muscatine.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 162.6 miles (261.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.2 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 8:50 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.26 one way or $54.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny around Mason City and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Muscatine.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mason City and Muscatine. Straight-line distance: 162.58 mi (261.65 km).

Mason City

#1 Mason City

City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Population26,931
Coordinates43.1535700, -93.2010400
Altitude344
CountryUnited States
Muscatine

#2 Muscatine

City in and county seat of Muscatine County, Iowa

Population23,523
Coordinates41.4244700, -91.0432100
Altitude177
CountryUnited States
Start: Mason City (-93.20104, 43.15357)
End: Muscatine (-91.04321, 41.42447)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 330 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.23 gal
27.35 L · about $27.26
Round trip
$54.53
14.46 gal · 54.7 L
Estimated CO2
64.3 kg one way
Round trip: 128.5 kg / 283 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.26 $54.53
Mid-grade $4.25 $30.75 $61.50
Premium $4.65 $33.65 $67.30
Diesel $5.30 $38.35 $76.70

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Mason City and Muscatine. The current time is 19:26:58.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.