Origin
Adel, IA
Morning in Adel on Friday
Local time
9:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Adel, IA to Mason City, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 14m
Distance
140.1 mi
225 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 5m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Adel, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Mason City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 140.1-mile journey from Adel to Mason City, Iowa, will take you approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes of driving time. With a projected fuel cost of around $21, this drive is an economical option for a single-day trip. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile and 0% highway share, suggesting a more engaging and potentially slower pace. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region for the entirety of this trip, offering a consistent feel of the heartland. This route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing ample time for departure and arrival without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
70 miles from Adel, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 140.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Prepare for a driving experience characterized by frequent turns and local road navigation, as this route has a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile and no highway segments. You won't encounter any long stretches of high-speed interstate travel here; instead, expect to navigate through various local streets and county roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the profile suggests a constant need for attention to your route and turns. This drive will feel more like exploring the Iowa landscape at a more intimate pace, rather than covering ground quickly.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Greene Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Adel, IA to Mason City, IA is easy. At 2h 14m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Adel, IA to Mason City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Greene Street | — | — |
| 290th Street | — | — |
| I-35 north | — | — |
| I 35 North | — | — |
| US 18 East | — | — |
| Airport | — | — |
| Mallard Avenue | — | — |
| South Eisenhower Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Greene Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Adel, IA and Mason City, IA.
1
Start on Nile Kinnick Drive South
16 ft
·
8 sec
·
Nile Kinnick Drive South
2
Turn left onto Greene Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Greene Street
3
Continue on 290th Street
12 mi
·
17 min
·
290th Street
4
Turn left onto I-35 north, I-80 east
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
I-35 north, I-80 east
5
Merge slight left
10 mi
·
11 min
6
Continue straight
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
7
Continue straight
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
104 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
10
Merge slight left
3.6 mi
·
4 min
11
Take the exit slight right toward Airport
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Airport
12
Turn left onto Mallard Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Mallard Avenue
13
Continue on South Eisenhower Avenue
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Eisenhower Avenue
14
Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
19th Street Southwest
15
Turn left onto South Monroe Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Monroe Avenue
16
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
1st Street Northwest
17
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
328 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Federal Avenue
18
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
23 ft
·
1 sec
·
2nd Street Northeast
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 14-minute duration, this route is easily manageable as a day trip. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your time at your destination or to enjoy the drive without rush-hour traffic. Since there are no specified stops, plan for your own breaks as needed, perhaps in one of the towns you pass through along Greene Street or 290th Street. The fuel cost is estimated at $21, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you begin. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to your GPS or map as you transition between Greene Street and 290th Street, as this is where the local road navigation will become most crucial.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 70 miles from Adel, IA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
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 31 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 50m
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 Adel, 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 Adel, IA
This is one driving day of about 140.1 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Adel, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70 mi from Adel, IA · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70 miles from Adel, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Mason City, IA
The final approach into Mason City, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Mason City, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.90 one way
$43.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.05 | $48.10 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.96 | $53.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.93 | $61.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42 | 0 | $14.71 | $6.72 |
| Efficient EV | 35 | 0 | $12.26 | $5.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56 | 0 | $19.61 | $8.97 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Mason City, IA
Morning in Mason City on Friday
Local time
9:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
19 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
2h 14m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Adel, IA to Mason City, IA covers 140.1 miles and takes about 2h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Greene Street, 290th Street, I-35 north. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70 miles from Adel, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.90 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Adel, IA to Mason City, IA is easy. At 2h 14m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Adel, IA to Mason City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Adel, IA to Mason City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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