Origin
Denison, IA
Late night in Denison on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Denison, IA to Mason City, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 40m
Distance
181.7 mi
292 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 28m
★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 6m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 47m
3 PM
3h 51m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Denison, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Mason City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Heading from Denison, IA to Mason City, IA, you'll cover 181.7 miles in about 3 hours and 40 minutes. This drive is easily manageable as a single-day trip, making it a convenient option for a quick journey within the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $28. You'll encounter a mix of road types, with 37% of the drive on highways. With only one recommended stop, you can plan for a straightforward transit between these two Iowa communities.
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
90.8 miles from Denison, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 220th Street | 86.6 mi | 1h 39m |
| I 35 | 47.4 mi | 50m |
| Fox Avenue | 17.2 mi | 23m |
| State Highway 39 | 16.9 mi | 23m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 86.6 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denison, IA and Mason City, IA.
1
Start on North Main Street
33 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn left onto 1st Avenue North
247 ft
·
11 sec
·
1st Avenue North
3
Turn right onto Avenue C
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Avenue C
4
Turn right onto IA 39
17 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 39
5
Continue on IA 39
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
400th Street
6
Continue on IA 39
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Fox Avenue
7
Continue on IA 39
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Des Moines Street
8
Continue on IA 39
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Fox Avenue
9
Turn right onto US 20
87 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
220th Street
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 35 North: Mason City
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 35
47 mi
·
50 min
·
I 35
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
13
Merge onto US 18; IA 27
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 18; IA 27
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Airport
15
Turn left onto Mallard Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Mallard Avenue
16
Continue on South Eisenhower Avenue
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Eisenhower Avenue
17
Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
19th Street Southwest
18
Turn left onto South Monroe Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Monroe Avenue
19
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
1st Street Northwest
20
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
328 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Federal Avenue
21
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
24 ft
·
1 sec
·
2nd Street Northeast
22
Arrive at destination
2nd Street Northeast
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 40-minute drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Mason City without feeling rushed. Since the total distance is 181.7 miles and requires only one stop, you have plenty of flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on 220th Street is quite extended. Planning your fuel stop before this long segment will prevent any unnecessary delays. The estimated fuel cost of $28 is a helpful budget point for this single-day adventure.
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 90.8 miles from Denison, IA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.6 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 40 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.8 miles or 1h 54m 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 59m
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 Denison, 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 Denison, IA
This is one driving day of about 181.7 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Denison, 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 220th Street for about 86.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90.8 miles from Denison, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before 220th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 181.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
1st Avenue North
Turn left onto 1st Avenue North
Navigation decision point
6
122.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 35 North: Mason City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 North: Mason City
5
170.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m 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...
4
175 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m in
Take the exit toward Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Airport
5
181.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m in
|
2nd Street Northeast
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.41 one way
$56.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.19 | $62.38 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.97 | $69.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.12 | $80.23 |
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: 63.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.5 | 0 | $19.08 | $8.72 |
| Efficient EV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.90 | $7.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.7 | 0 | $25.44 | $11.63 |
Gas CO2
64 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
Late night in Mason City on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 40m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed driving experience, with 37% of the journey on highways. You'll navigate through 220th Street, Fox Avenue, and I-35, providing a varied feel to the drive. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 86.6 miles, primarily on 220th Street, which suggests a substantial portion of rural or less-traveled road. This blend means you won't be solely on interstate, allowing for different pacing and road conditions as you progress toward Mason City.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.6 mi on 220th Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
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 early in the drive near 1st Avenue North.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 40m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 122.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 170.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,390 ft
1,114 ft
Total Climb
222 ft
Total Descent
377 ft
Highest Point
1,390 ft
~26 mi in
Elevation Range
276 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Denison, IA to Mason City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Charles City along the way.
Charles City
170.4 mi in
|
~3h 22m
About the Cities
Starting in Denison, IA
Full guide →Denison is a city in Western Iowa.
Arriving in Mason City, IA
Full guide →Mason City is a city in Iowa, renowned for its collection of architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright and other Prairie School architects, considered the most significant concentration of such architecture outside of Oak Park, Illinois.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 181.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (37%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.6 miles on 220th Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 122.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 170.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Mason City, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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