Red Oak, IA to Mason City, IA is 238 miles and takes about 4h 44m via I 35 and US 6, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within Iowa, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's primarily a highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward option if you're looking for efficient travel between these two points. You can expect a pretty direct journey, mostly on well-maintained roads that allow for consistent speed.
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
119 miles from Red Oak, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
103.6 mi
1h 51m
US 6
62 mi
1h 7m
I 80
14.4 mi
16m
North Broadway Street
14 mi
20m
550th Street
10 mi
14m
White Pole Road
9 mi
13m
650th Street
6.4 mi
8m
US 18
3.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 103.6 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Oak, IA and Mason City, IA.
1
Start on East Reed Street
0.4 mi·1 min·East Reed Street
2
Turn right onto IA 48
14 mi·20 min·North Broadway Street
3
Continue on IA 48
0.9 mi·1 min·M Avenue
4
Continue on IA 48
4.8 mi·7 min·550th Street
5
Continue on IA 48
1.0 mi·1 min·Adair Street
6
Continue on IA 48
5.3 mi·7 min·550th Street
7
Turn right onto US 6
8.9 mi·13 min·White Pole Road
8
Continue on US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·Southwest 7th Street
9
Continue on US 6
0.6 mi·1 min·West 7th Street
10
Continue on US 6
0.1 mi·22 sec·White Pole Road
11
Continue on US 6; IA 83
3.5 mi·6 min·East 7th Street
12
Turn left onto US 6; US 71
6.4 mi·8 min·650th Street
13
Take the exit onto US 6
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·US 6
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
14 mi·16 min·I 80
Exit 123BToward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
104 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 35
Toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des MoinesUse 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 44m duration, this is a comfortable one-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 103.6 miles on I 35, you can plan your breaks strategically. Consider stopping around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. The fuel cost is estimated at $37, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you begin to avoid needing frequent stops.
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 119 miles from Red Oak, IA, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.6 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 52 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119 miles or 2h 30m 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 53m
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 Red Oak, 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 Red Oak, IA
This is one driving day of about 238 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Red Oak, 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 103.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 237.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|IA 48 / North Broadway Street
Turn right onto IA 48 / North Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
9
108.6 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
8
123 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
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 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, De...
5
226.6 mi into trip|~4h 27m 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
237.9 mi into trip|~4h 44m in|2nd Street Northeast
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.21 one way
$74.42 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.85
$81.71
premium
$4.89
$45.80
$91.60
diesel
$5.61
$52.55
$105.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.4
0
$24.99
$11.42
Efficient EV
59.5
0
$20.83
$9.52
EV Truck/SUV
95.2
1
$33.32
$15.23
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Red Oak, IA
Night
in Red Oak on Saturday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mason City, IA
Night
in Mason City on Saturday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
5 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 44m 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 trip is largely a highway-focused drive, with 77% of the journey utilizing major highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of I 35, including a continuous segment of 103.6 miles. While there are portions on US 6 and I 80, the dominant feel is one of consistent highway travel. Expect a predictable driving experience where you can maintain a steady pace for most of the 238 miles.
77% 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: 103.6 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 6. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near IA 48 / North Broadway Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 238 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.4 miles (IA 48 / North Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 108.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Red Oak, IA and Mason City, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City and Des Moines.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 238 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.6 miles on I 35. 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: at 0.4 miles (IA 48 / North Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 108.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Mason City, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
