Fairfield to Mason City is 226.8 miles and takes about 4h 23m via I 35, US 63, and US 34, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, connecting two points in the Midwest. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. If you're looking for a direct connection between these two Iowa cities, this route is a practical choice, especially if you want to get there without much fuss. Plan for a single day of travel.
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
113.4 miles from Fairfield, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
102.4 mi
1h 50m
US 63
69.4 mi
1h 20m
US 34
32.5 mi
37m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
3.8 mi
4m
US 18
3.6 mi
4m
19th Street Southwest
2.5 mi
4m
West Burlington Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
Mallard Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 102.4 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 11 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~639 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,016
Quietest
2 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 40 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, IA and Mason City, IA.
1
Start on East Briggs Avenue
0.1 mi·34 sec·East Briggs Avenue
2
Turn left onto IA 1
0.1 mi·18 sec·North 2nd Street
3
Turn right onto US 34 Business
1.9 mi·3 min·West Burlington Avenue
4
Continue on US 34 Business
1.0 mi·1 min·Old US 34
5
Take the ramp onto US 34 Business
0.4 mi·54 sec·US 34 Business
Toward US 34, IA 163 West: OttumwaUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 34; IA 163
32 mi·37 min·US 34; IA 163
7
Continue on US 63; IA 163
69 mi·1 hr 20 min·US 63; IA 163
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
9
Merge onto US 65
3.8 mi·4 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
10
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 84Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
11
Merge onto I 80
0.9 mi·1 min·I 80
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 137BToward I-35 north: MinneapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·42 sec·this road
Exit 137BToward I-35 north: Minneapolis
14
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·52 sec·this road
Exit 137BToward I-35 North: Minneapolis
15
Merge onto I 35
102 mi·1 hr 50 min·I 35
Toward I 35 North: MinneapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
17
Merge onto US 18; IA 27
3.6 mi·4 min·US 18; IA 27
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Airport
19
Turn left onto Mallard Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·Mallard Avenue
20
Continue on South Eisenhower Avenue
0.5 mi·44 sec·South Eisenhower Avenue
21
Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest
2.5 mi·4 min·19th Street Southwest
22
Turn left onto South Monroe Avenue
1.3 mi·2 min·South Monroe Avenue
23
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
0.4 mi·47 sec·1st Street Northwest
24
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
328 ft·16 sec·North Federal Avenue
25
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
24 ft·1 sec·2nd Street Northeast
26
Arrive at destination
2nd Street Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 23m estimated drive time, starting in the morning will give you plenty of flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make a quick break or push through. Your estimated fuel cost is around $35, so factor that into your budget. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the advantage of not needing to book overnight accommodation. Pay attention to the transition from I 35 to US 63 and US 34 as you approach Mason City, as this is where the highway portion concludes.
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 113.4 miles from Fairfield, IA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.4 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 50 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.4 miles or 2h 15m 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 33m
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 Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, IA
This is one driving day of about 226.8 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Fairfield, 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 35 for about 102.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 215.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.1 mi into trip|~6m in|US 34 Business
Take the ramp onto US 34 Business toward US 34, IA 163 West: Ottumwa
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 34, IA 163 West: Ottumwa
5
109.7 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 84
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
7
111.7 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
6
113.1 mi into trip|~2h 15m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35 toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
5
215.5 mi into trip|~4h 5m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.49 one way
$66.99 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.98
$73.95
premium
$4.72
$42.11
$84.22
diesel
$4.80
$42.82
$85.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68
0
$23.81
$10.89
Efficient EV
56.7
0
$19.85
$9.07
EV Truck/SUV
90.7
1
$31.75
$14.52
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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 as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Fairfield, IA
Late night
in Fairfield on Sunday
Local time
4:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 10 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:22PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:14AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Mason City, IA
Late night
in Mason City on Sunday
Local time
4:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
N 8 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:22PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:14AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
89°F
Colfax, IA
113 mi in
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
8 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 23m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 93% highway, so expect a lot of interstate driving. The longest continuous stretch on the interstate is 102.4 miles on I 35. You'll transition to surface roads for a smaller portion of the trip, likely near your destination or origin points. The density of exits on I 35 will be noticeable, so stay alert for your turn-offs.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.4 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 63. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near US 34 Business.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 226.8 miles you will encounter 19 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 3.1 miles (US 34 Business): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 111.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Fairfield is the county seat of Jefferson County in Southeast Iowa. It is a small town of about 9,400 people (2020) in the Heartland of America. The town of Mount Pleasant is 22 miles to the east and Ottumwa is 25 miles to the west.
Top landmarks
•Jefferson County Courthouse — courthouse in Iowa, United States
•James A. Beck House — Fairfield, Iowa, listed on the NRHP in Jefferson County
•James F. Clarke House — historic house in Iowa, United States
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.
Top landmarks
•Dr. G.C. Stockman House — house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
•Park Inn Hotel — hotel in Mason City, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 226.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.4 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Mason City, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (US 34 Business): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 111.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Mason City, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
