Origin
Osceola County, IA
Afternoon in Osceola County on Sunday
Local time
2:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Osceola County, IA to Mason City, IA
Drive Time
3h 29m
Distance
180.6 mi
291 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
Osceola County, IA
Tom Fisk
Mason City, IA
Chris Flaten
Trip Overview
Spanning 180.6 miles across the Iowa countryside, this trip from Osceola County to Mason City takes approximately 2 hours and 52 minutes of drive time. Because the total duration is relatively short, you can easily complete this journey as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget about $27 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwestern locations. While the route relies on local roads like 190th Street and County Highway A30 rather than major interstates, the straightforward nature of the drive makes it manageable for most travelers. Whether you are heading east for business or leisure, this path offers a direct way to cross this portion of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
90.3 miles from Osceola County, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that prioritizes secondary roads over the monotony of major highways. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend the entire trip navigating smaller, community-focused corridors rather than high-speed lanes. The route requires your full attention as you transition between 190th Street and County Highway A30, keeping the driving experience engaging rather than repetitive. Because there is no extended highway stretch, you will find yourself frequently adjusting your speed and navigating intersections. This path is ideal if you prefer a hands-on driving experience that stays close to the local landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 Business is the longest continuous segment at about 115.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 Business and I 35. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near 190th Street.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Osceola County, IA to Mason City, IA is easy. At 3h 29m with 86% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (190th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (US 59 / County Highway A30): Navigation decision point; at 20.4 miles (US 59; MN 60): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
190th Street
Turn right onto 190th Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 59 / County Highway A30
Turn right onto US 59 / County Highway A30
Navigation decision point
4
20.4 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
US 59; MN 60
Enter roundabout onto US 59; MN 60
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
21.7 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 90 Business
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Business toward I 90: Albert Lea
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward I 90: Albert Lea
6
136.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 Business | 115.2 mi | 2h 4m |
| I 35 | 33.4 mi | 35m |
| County Highway A30 | 12.9 mi | 17m |
| 300th Street | 7.3 mi | 10m |
| US 59 | 7 mi | 8m |
| North Federal Avenue | 1.7 mi | 4m |
| 190th Street | 1 mi | 3m |
| Orchid Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90 Business
— 115.2 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Osceola County, IA and Mason City, IA.
1
Start on Silver Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Silver Avenue
2
Turn right onto 190th Street
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
190th Street
3
Turn right onto US 59
13 mi
·
17 min
·
County Highway A30
4
Turn straight onto US 59
409 ft
·
10 sec
·
US 59
5
Turn right onto US 59; MN 60
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
US 59; MN 60
6
Continue on US 59; MN 60
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 59; MN 60
7
Enter roundabout onto US 59; MN 60
113 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 59; MN 60
8
Continue on US 59; MN 60
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 59; MN 60
9
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Business; MN 60
95 ft
·
5 sec
·
I 90 Business; MN 60
10
Continue on I 90 Business; MN 60
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
I 90 Business; MN 60
11
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Business
246 ft
·
14 sec
·
I 90 Business
Toward I 90: Albert Lea
12
Continue on I 90 Business
115 mi
·
2 hr 3 min
·
I 90 Business
Toward I 90: Albert Lea
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 35
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 35
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
16
Turn left onto CR B20
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
300th Street
17
Turn right onto US 65
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Orchid Avenue
18
Continue on US 65
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
North Federal Avenue
19
Turn left onto 2nd Street Northeast
24 ft
·
1 sec
·
2nd Street Northeast
20
Arrive at destination
2nd Street Northeast
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly three-hour drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the turn-heavy nature of the local roads. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, as the $27 estimate is based on current projections and local road driving can sometimes be less fuel-efficient than consistent highway cruising. If you are traveling during peak daylight hours, you will find navigating the turns on County Highway A30 much easier. Use your GPS consistently to manage the transitions between local streets, as the lack of major highway markers makes staying on the correct path essential.
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 90.3 miles from Osceola County, IA, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.2 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.3 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 49m
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 Osceola County, 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 Osceola County, IA
This is one driving day of about 180.6 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Osceola County, 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 90 Business for about 115.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 90.3 mi from Osceola County, IA · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90.3 miles from Osceola County, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 Business if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.2 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
$27.43 one way
$54.86 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $30.24 | $60.48 |
| premium | $4.80 | $34.09 | $68.19 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $40.12 | $80.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.2 | 0 | $18.96 | $8.67 |
| Efficient EV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.80 | $7.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.2 | 0 | $25.28 | $11.56 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Afternoon in Mason City on Sunday
Local time
2:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
1 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
3h 29m 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 Osceola County, IA to Mason City, IA covers 180.6 miles and takes about 3h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90 Business, I 35, County Highway A30. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 90.3 miles from Osceola County, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.43 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Osceola County, IA to Mason City, IA is easy. At 3h 29m with 86% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (190th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (US 59 / County Highway A30): Navigation decision point; at 20.4 miles (US 59; MN 60): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Osceola County, IA to Mason City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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