Trip from Glenwood, IA to Mason City, IA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

4h 55m

Distance

265.2 mi

427 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 42m ★

6 AM

4h 56m

8 AM

5h 23m

10 AM

5h 5m

12 PM

5h 2m

3 PM

5h 6m

5 PM

5h 21m

8 PM

4h 47m

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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city in Mills County, Iowa, United States

Glenwood, IA

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

Mason City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Glenwood, IA to Mason City, IA covers 265.2 miles and takes about 4h 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, I 35, US 275 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 132.6 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.46 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

132.6 miles from Glenwood, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 4h 55m highway drive covering 265.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and I 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 132.6 miles on I 80.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 132.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 35. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 265.2 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 17 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 135.8 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.3 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

17 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward I 80 East: Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 48A Toward I 80 East: Des Moines

135.8 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 123B Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...

150.3 mi into trip | ~2h 45m in | I 35

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, De...

253.9 mi into trip | ~4h 37m 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...

265.2 mi into trip | ~4h 55m 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 Glenwood, IA and Mason City, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City and Des Moines.

Minneapolis

135.8 mi in | ~2h 29m | via I 80

Kansas City

135.8 mi in | ~2h 29m | via I 80

Des Moines

150.3 mi in | ~2h 45m | via I 35

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	132.6 mi	2h 23m
I 35	103.6 mi	1h 51m
US 275	13.1 mi	14m
US 18	3.6 mi	4m
19th Street Southwest	2.5 mi	4m
US 34	2.4 mi	3m
Mallard Avenue	1.5 mi	2m
South Monroe Avenue	1.3 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 132.6 mi, about 2h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

205 ft · 16 sec · this road

Turn right onto North Vine Street

139 ft · 10 sec · North Vine Street

Turn right onto CR H30

0.6 mi · 1 min · Sharp Street

Continue on Hilman Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hilman Road

Turn right onto US 34; US 275

2.4 mi · 3 min · US 34; US 275

Take the ramp onto US 275

13 mi · 14 min · US 275

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 45 sec

Exit 48A Toward I 80 East: Des Moines

Continue on I 80; US 6

118 mi · 2 hr 6 min · I 80; US 6

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

14 mi · 16 min · I 80

Exit 123B Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35

104 mi · 1 hr 51 min · I 35

Toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min

Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City

Merge onto US 18; IA 27

3.6 mi · 4 min · US 18; IA 27

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward Airport

Turn left onto Mallard Avenue

1.5 mi · 2 min · Mallard Avenue

Continue on South Eisenhower Avenue

0.5 mi · 44 sec · South Eisenhower Avenue

Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest

2.5 mi · 4 min · 19th Street Southwest

Turn left onto South Monroe Avenue

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Monroe Avenue

Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest

0.4 mi · 47 sec · 1st Street Northwest

Turn left onto North Federal Avenue

328 ft · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue

Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast

24 ft · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

Arrive at destination

2nd Street Northeast

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 132.6 miles from Glenwood, IA, or about 2h 25m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.6 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 132.6 miles or 2h 25m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 58m

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 Glenwood, 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 Glenwood, IA

This is one driving day of about 265.2 miles and 4h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Glenwood, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 132.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 132.6 mi from Glenwood, IA · 2h 25m into the drive

human settlement in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukee, IA

133 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

Denison, IA

Fuel and coffee

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

Waukee, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132.6 miles from Glenwood, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.6 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

$41.46 one way

$82.92 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$45.52	$91.05
premium	$4.89	$51.04	$102.07
diesel	$5.61	$58.55	$117.11

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	79.6	0	$27.85	$12.73
Efficient EV	66.3	0	$23.21	$10.61
EV Truck/SUV	106.1	1	$37.13	$16.97

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Glenwood, IA

Late night in Glenwood on Wednesday

Local time

4:31 AM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Partly Sunny

S 10 to 21 mph 7% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 7:20AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 6:17AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Mason City, IA

Late night in Mason City on Wednesday

Local time

4:31 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 5 to 17 mph 25% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 7:20AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 6:17AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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

5 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 55m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Glenwood, IA to Mason City, IA covers 265.2 miles and takes about 4h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, I 35, US 275. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 132.6 miles from Glenwood, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.46 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Glenwood, IA and Mason City, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City and Des Moines.

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Trip from Glenwood, IA to Mason City, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Mason City, IA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Glenwood, IA

Mason City, IA

Same local time

5 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 55m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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