Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Ottumwa, IA to Mason City, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 53m
Distance
202.3 mi
326 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 40m
★
6 AM
3h 53m
8 AM
4h 19m
10 AM
4h 2m
12 PM
4h 0m
3 PM
4h 3m
5 PM
4h 17m
8 PM
3h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ottumwa, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Mason City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Ottumwa to Mason City is 202.3 miles and takes about 3h 53m via I 35 and US 63, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest landscape. With 93% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct route. It’s a single-day trip, making it a convenient option for a quick journey between these two points.
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
101.2 miles from Ottumwa, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 102.4 mi | 1h 50m |
| US 63 | 75.5 mi | 1h 27m |
| Old US Highway 63 | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| 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:
I 35
— 102.4 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 15 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~796 veh/hr typical · worst 1,190
Quietest
2 AM
~82 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Ottumwa, IA and Mason City, IA.
1
Start on West Fourth Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Fourth Street
2
Turn right onto US 63 Business; IA 149
395 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Wapello Street
3
Continue on US 63 Business; IA 149
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Old US Highway 63
4
Turn left onto US 63 Business
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
US 63 Business
5
Merge onto US 63; IA 163
75 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
US 63; IA 163
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
7
Merge onto US 65
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
8
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 84
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
9
Merge onto I 80
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 80
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
12
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 North: Minneapolis
13
Merge onto I 35
102 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
15
Merge onto US 18; IA 27
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 18; IA 27
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Airport
17
Turn left onto Mallard Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Mallard Avenue
18
Continue on South Eisenhower Avenue
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Eisenhower Avenue
19
Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
19th Street Southwest
20
Turn left onto South Monroe Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Monroe Avenue
21
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
1st Street Northwest
22
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
328 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Federal Avenue
23
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
24 ft
·
1 sec
·
2nd Street Northeast
24
Arrive at destination
2nd Street Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 53-minute drive time, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider leaving Ottumwa in the morning to give yourself ample time for the drive and any potential brief stops. The longest stretch without a major highway change is over 100 miles on I 35, so plan your fuel needs accordingly, though the estimated $36 fuel cost suggests this isn't a major concern. You'll transition from highway to US 63 partway through, so be prepared for a change in driving pace and more frequent exits as you approach Mason City.
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 101.2 miles from Ottumwa, IA, or about 1h 58m 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 45 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.2 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 8m
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 Ottumwa, 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 Ottumwa, IA
This is one driving day of about 202.3 miles and 3h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Ottumwa, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101.2 miles from Ottumwa, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Casey's Truck Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
I-35 Dows Rest Stop
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 85.2 and 202.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
85.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m 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
87.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m 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
88.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m 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
191 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m 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...
5
202.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m in
|
2nd Street Northeast
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.88 one way
$59.75 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $32.98 | $65.96 |
| premium | $4.72 | $37.56 | $75.12 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.20 | $76.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.7 | 0 | $21.24 | $9.71 |
| Efficient EV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.70 | $8.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.9 | 1 | $28.32 | $12.95 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Ottumwa, IA
Morning in Ottumwa on Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 6 mph
13% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:08PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Destination
Mason City, IA
Morning in Mason City on Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
NE 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:08PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
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
6 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 53m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on interstates, with 93% of this 202.3-mile route on highways. The longest continuous stretch on the interstate is 102.4 miles on I 35. After this, you'll transition to US 63 and Old US Highway 63, which will feel more like traditional highway cruising with potentially more local traffic and exits.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 63. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 85.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 202.3 miles you will encounter 18 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 85.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 87.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.6 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,226 ft
674 ft
Total Climb
632 ft
Total Descent
174 ft
Highest Point
1,226 ft
~187.9 mi in
Elevation Range
552 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 Ottumwa, IA to Mason City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Charles City along the way.
Charles City
191 mi in
|
~3h 35m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Su 05:00-21:00
Visit websiteWindmill Cafe
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Pella, IA
Visit websiteSmokey Row Coffee
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Pella, IA
Hours: Su 07:00-20:00; Mo-Sa 06:00-21:00
Visit websiteMaria's Tea Room
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Pella, IA
Cuisine: tea
Visit websiteIris Coffee Company
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Pella, IA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteBrew Coffeehouse
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Pella, IA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteOhana Grill
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Ottumwa, IA
Hours: Su-Th 09:00-12:00, Fr-Sa 09:00-15:00
Visit websiteHardee's
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Mason City, IA
Cuisine: burger
Visit websiteDomino's
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Mason City, IA
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-02:00; Su...
Visit websiteSecond Street Café
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Cuisine: american
Culver's
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Pella, IA
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00
Visit websiteTaco Bell
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Pella, IA
Cuisine: tex-mex
Hours: 10:00-01:00
Visit websiteRancho Deluxe
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
12th Street Kayak/Canoe Launch
Park
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Prairie Rock Trails Bike Park
Park
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Mason City, IA
Klokkenspel
Attraction
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Pella, IA
Jaycee Park
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Lime Creek County Conservation Area
Camp_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Mason City, IA
Iowa Heartland History Connection
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
IA
Visit websiteCivil War Monument
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Veteran's Memorial
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Steam locomotive
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Ottumwa
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Rolscreen Museum
Museum
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
IA
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
Motel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Mason City, IA
Visit websiteComfort Inn & Suites
Hotel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
The Cheesemaker's Inn
Motel
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Country Inn & Suites
Hotel
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Pella, IA
Visit websiteHoliday Inn Express Pella
Hotel
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Holiday Inn Express
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Ottumwa, IA
Visit websitePoints of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Ottumwa, IA
Full guide →Founded 1844
Ottumwa is a city in South Central Iowa.
Top landmarks
- • Ottumwa station — railway station in Ottumwa, Iowa
- • Benson Block — building in Ottumwa, Iowa (built as a theatre, but never used as such)
- • Fifth Street Bluff Historic District — historic district in Iowa, United States
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.
Top landmarks
- • Dr. G.C. Stockman House — house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
- • Park Inn Hotel — hotel in Mason City, United States of America
- • East Park — park in Mason City, Iowa
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 53m. Total distance: 202.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 53m 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.
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: at 85.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 87.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.6 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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