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Trip from Le Mars, 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

4h 6m

Distance

176.1 mi

283 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 53m ★
6 AM
4h 6m
8 AM
4h 32m
10 AM
4h 15m
12 PM
4h 13m
3 PM
4h 17m
5 PM
4h 31m
8 PM
3h 58m

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 Iowa, United States

Le Mars, 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 Le Mars, IA to Mason City, IA covers 176.1 miles and takes about 4h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US Highway 18, IA 60, 320th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 65.6 miles on US Highway 18. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.53 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

88 miles from Le Mars, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 6m. Total distance: 176.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (57%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

The drive from Le Mars, IA to Mason City, IA covers 176.1 miles and takes about 4h 6m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 18 is the longest continuous segment at about 65.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 75 Business / 5th Avenue Northwest.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 6m 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 0.4 miles (US 75 Business / 5th Avenue Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (IA 60): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

5
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 75 Business / 5th Avenue Northwest

At end of road, turn right onto US 75 Business / 5th Avenue Northwest

Navigation decision point

5
2.3 mi into trip | ~4m in | IA 60

Merge onto IA 60

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

Use the straight lane.
4
36.1 mi into trip | ~43m in

Take the exit toward US 18: Spencer

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 18: Spencer
5
68.7 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in | B24 / County Road B24

At end of road, turn left onto B24 / County Road B24

Navigation decision point

5
176.1 mi into trip | ~4h 6m in | 2nd Street Northeast

Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US Highway 18 65.6 mi 1h 31m
IA 60 33.7 mi 38m
320th Street 28.8 mi 40m
360th Street 22.4 mi 32m
370th Street 5.9 mi 8m
180th Avenue 2.8 mi 4m
11th Street Southwest 2.5 mi 3m
4th Street Southwest 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US Highway 18 — 65.6 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 1st Street Northeast

0.4 mi · 1 min · 1st Street Northeast
2

At end of road, turn right onto US 75 Business

1.5 mi · 2 min · 5th Avenue Northwest
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
4

Merge onto IA 60

34 mi · 38 min · IA 60
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward US 18: Spencer
6

Turn right onto US 18

7.5 mi · 10 min · 320th Street
7

Continue on US 18

0.6 mi · 1 min · US-18
8

Continue on US 18

21 mi · 29 min · 320th Street
9

Turn right onto 180th Avenue

2.8 mi · 4 min · 180th Avenue
10

At end of road, turn left onto B24

1.0 mi · 1 min · County Road B24
11

Continue on West 4th Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · West 4th Street
12

Turn right onto 32nd Avenue West

0.3 mi · 25 sec · 32nd Avenue West
13

Continue on 200th Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · 200th Avenue
14

Turn left onto 360th Street

1.6 mi · 2 min · 360th Street
15

Continue on US 71

2.5 mi · 3 min · 11th Street Southwest
16

Continue on US 18

21 mi · 30 min · 360th Street
17

Continue on US 18; IA 4

1.0 mi · 1 min · 450th Avenue
18

Continue on US 18; IA 4

1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street
19

Continue on US 18

5.9 mi · 8 min · 370th Street
20

Keep slight right at fork onto US 18

1.7 mi · 2 min · 525th Avenue
21

Turn left onto US 18

66 mi · 1 hr 31 min · US Highway 18
22

Continue on US 18 Business; IA 122

2.0 mi · 3 min · 4th Street Southwest
23

Turn left onto Winnebago Way

0.5 mi · 1 min · Winnebago Way
24

Continue on 1st Street Northwest

1.2 mi · 2 min · 1st Street Northwest
25

Turn left onto North Federal Avenue

328 ft · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue
26

Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast

24 ft · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
27

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 88 miles from Le Mars, IA, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.6 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 39 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 88 miles or 1h 58m 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 19m

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 Le Mars, 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 Le Mars, IA

This is one driving day of about 176.1 miles and 4h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Le Mars, 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 US Highway 18 for about 65.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 88 mi from Le Mars, IA · 1h 58m into the drive

Downtown Spencer, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Spencer, IA

88 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

Osceola County, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Emmetsburg, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88 miles from Le Mars, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US Highway 18 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.6 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.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Lally's Eastside Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Le Mars, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+17125464406

Visit website

Lally's Eastside Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Le Mars, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+17125464406

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 171.7

Mason City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 36.8

Sheldon, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18559007584

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 98.1

Emmetsburg, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Noodoe Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 122.6

Algona, Iowa

+19094681118

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 171.7

Mason City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 73.6

Spencer, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Blink Charging Station

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 122.6

Algona, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 122.6

Algona, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.53 one way

$55.06 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.23 $60.46
premium $4.89 $33.89 $67.78
diesel $5.61 $38.88 $77.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.8 0 $18.49 $8.45
Efficient EV 44 0 $15.41 $7.04
EV Truck/SUV 70.4 0 $24.65 $11.27

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Le Mars, IA

Evening in Le Mars on Friday

Local time

6:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mason City, IA

Evening in Mason City on Friday

Local time

6:21 PM

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

21 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

4h 6m 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 Le Mars, IA to Mason City, IA covers 176.1 miles and takes about 4h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US Highway 18, IA 60, 320th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 88 miles from Le Mars, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.53 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.

This is a straightforward 4h 6m 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 0.4 miles (US 75 Business / 5th Avenue Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (IA 60): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

The route from Le Mars, 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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