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Trip from Des Moines, IA to Mason City, IA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

2h 17m

Distance

119.7 mi

193 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 8m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Des Moines, IA, IA

Des Moines, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city and the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States

Mason City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Des Moines, IA to Mason City, IA covers 119.7 miles and takes about 2h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35, John MacVicar Freeway, US 18 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 101.7 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.71 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

59.8 miles from Des Moines, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 2h 17m highway drive covering 119.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and John MacVicar Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 101.7 miles on I 35.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 101.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and John MacVicar Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East University Avenue.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 17m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | East University Avenue

Turn uturn onto East University Avenue

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

6
1 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STree...
5
1.8 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway

Merge onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
108.4 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Take the exit toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Cha...
5
119.7 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | 2nd Street Northeast

Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast

Navigation decision point

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Des Moines, IA and Mason City, IA, road signs point toward Charles City and Airport.

Charles City

108.4 mi in | ~1h 59m

Airport

113 mi in | ~2h 5m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 101.7 mi 1h 49m
John MacVicar Freeway 4.8 mi 5m
US 18 3.6 mi 4m
19th Street Southwest 2.5 mi 4m
Mallard Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
South Monroe Avenue 1.3 mi 2m
East University Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
South Eisenhower Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 101.7 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Mason City, IA.

1

Start on East University Avenue

481 ft · 39 sec · East University Avenue
2

Turn uturn onto East University Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · East University Avenue
3

Turn right onto US 69

0.4 mi · 57 sec · East 14th Street
4

Take the ramp

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
5

Merge onto I 235

4.8 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 35

102 mi · 1 hr 49 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
8

Merge onto US 18; IA 27

3.6 mi · 4 min · US 18; IA 27
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward Airport
10

Turn left onto Mallard Avenue

1.5 mi · 2 min · Mallard Avenue
11

Continue on South Eisenhower Avenue

0.5 mi · 44 sec · South Eisenhower Avenue
12

Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest

2.5 mi · 4 min · 19th Street Southwest
13

Turn left onto South Monroe Avenue

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Monroe Avenue
14

Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest

0.4 mi · 47 sec · 1st Street Northwest
15

Turn left onto North Federal Avenue

328 ft · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue
16

Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast

24 ft · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
17

Arrive at destination

2nd Street Northeast

Trip Plan

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 59.8 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.7 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 59.8 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 48m

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 Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, IA

This is one driving day of about 119.7 miles and 2h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Des Moines, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 101.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59.8 mi from Des Moines, IA · 1h 7m into the drive

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

60 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.

Popular next leg

Ames, IA to Mason City, IA

90.4 mi · 1h 45m

Pacing Suggestions

Ames, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ames, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.8 miles from Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.7 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.71 one way

$37.43 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.55 $41.09
premium $4.89 $23.04 $46.07
diesel $5.61 $26.43 $52.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.9 0 $12.57 $5.75
Efficient EV 29.9 0 $10.47 $4.79
EV Truck/SUV 47.9 0 $16.76 $7.66

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Des Moines, IA

Late night in Des Moines on Wednesday

Local time

5:36 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Partly Cloudy

SSW 6 to 15 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Tornado Watch

Tornado Watch issued April 13 at 8:03PM CDT until April 13 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA

Tornado Watch

Tornado Watch issued April 13 at 8:03PM CDT until April 13 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA

Destination

Mason City, IA

Late night in Mason City on Wednesday

Local time

5:36 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

9 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 17m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Des Moines, IA to Mason City, IA covers 119.7 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, John MacVicar Freeway, US 18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.8 miles from Des Moines, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.71 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.
This is a straightforward 2h 17m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Des Moines, IA and Mason City, IA, road signs point toward Charles City and Airport.

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