Mason City to Glenwood is 265.8 miles and takes about 4h 56m via I-35, I-80, and I-29, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest region. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making for a straightforward drive. With just one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, it's a practical option for a single-day trip across the state.
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
132.9 miles from Mason City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
119 mi
2h 8m
I 35
117 mi
2h 7m
I 29
12 mi
12m
Avenue of the Saints
3.5 mi
3m
US Highway 34
2.8 mi
4m
19th Street Southwest
2.5 mi
4m
Mallard Avenue
1.4 mi
1m
North Monroe Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 119 mi, about 2h 8m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 54 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,024 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,536
Quietest
2 AM
~150 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 99 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 Mason City, IA and Glenwood, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Street Northeast
24 ft·6 sec·2nd Street Northeast
2
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
328 ft·16 sec·North Federal Avenue
3
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
0.4 mi·47 sec·1st Street Northwest
4
Turn left onto North Monroe Avenue
1.3 mi·2 min·North Monroe Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest
2.5 mi·4 min·19th Street Southwest
6
Turn left onto South Eisenhower Avenue
0.5 mi·40 sec·South Eisenhower Avenue
7
Continue on Mallard Avenue
1.4 mi·1 min·Mallard Avenue
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
9
Merge onto US 18; IA 27
3.5 mi·3 min·Avenue of the Saints
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
11
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·32 sec·this road
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
12
Merge onto I 35
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
14 mi·16 min·I 35
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, DavenportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
96 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: OmahaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
23 mi·25 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
16
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 4AToward I 29 South: Kansas CityUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 29
12 mi·12 min·I 29
18
Take the exit onto US 275
0.3 mi·44 sec·US 275
Toward US 34, US 275 South: South Bellevue, Glenwood
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 275
0.7 mi·1 min·US 275
20
Merge onto US 34; US 275
2.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 34
21
Turn left onto Hilman Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Hilman Road
22
Continue on Sharp Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Sharp Street
23
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
152 ft·8 sec·North Walnut Street
24
Turn right
225 ft·16 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 56m estimated driving time, leaving Mason City in the morning will allow you to reach Glenwood with plenty of daylight remaining. The route is primarily interstate, so it’s easy to make good time. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 119-mile stretch on I-80, as services might be less frequent than in more populated areas.
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 132.9 miles from Mason City, IA, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119 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 58 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.9 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glenwood, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mason City, 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 Mason City, IA
This is one driving day of about 265.8 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Mason City, 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 119 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 247.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|North Monroe Avenue
Turn left onto North Monroe Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
114.1 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
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 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
7
128.4 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
6
223.9 mi into trip|~4h 7m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebrask...
7
247.4 mi into trip|~4h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 29 South: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4A
Toward I 29 South: Kansas City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.21 one way
$82.42 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$45.19
$90.37
premium
$4.93
$51.57
$103.14
diesel
$5.60
$58.59
$117.18
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: 93 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.7
0
$27.91
$12.76
Efficient EV
66.5
0
$23.26
$10.63
EV Truck/SUV
106.3
1
$37.21
$17.01
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 as of Aug 14, 2026
Origin
Mason City, IA
Late night
in Mason City on Wednesday
Local time
2:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
ESE 7 to 12 mph67% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued August 14 at 3:29PM CDT until August 15 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 14 at 3:24PM CDT until August 17 at 4:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Glenwood, IA
Late night
in Glenwood on Wednesday
Local time
2:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 8 mph47% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued August 14 at 3:29PM CDT until August 15 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 14 at 3:24PM CDT until August 17 at 4:00PM 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
9 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 56m 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 predominantly highway driving, with 95% of the 265.8 miles on interstates. You'll encounter a long stretch of 119 miles on I-80 before reaching I-29. The majority of the drive will feel like rural cruising on major roads, with exits spaced relatively far apart. Expect smooth sailing on the interstates for most of your trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near North Monroe Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 265.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (North Monroe Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 114.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,373 ft877 ft
Total Climb
613 ft
Total Descent
728 ft
Highest Point
1,373 ft
~170.9 mi in
Elevation Range
496 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mason City, IA and Glenwood, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and Omaha Nebraska.
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 56m. Total distance: 265.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119 miles on I 80. 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.
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 Glenwood, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (North Monroe Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 114.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Glenwood, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
