How far is Fairfield, IA from Mason City, IA?
The driving distance from Fairfield, IA to Mason City, IA is about 227.4 miles (366 km), with a travel time of about 03h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 161.2 miles (259.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 33m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fairfield and Mason City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield and Mason City.
-
1
Start on East Briggs Avenue
662 ft · 34 sec · East Briggs Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
717 ft · 18 sec · North 2nd Street
-
3
Turn right onto West Burlington Avenue
1.9 mi · 4 min · West Burlington Avenue
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4
Continue on Old US 34
1.6 km · 2 min · Old US 34
-
5
Take the ramp right toward US 34, IA 163 West: Ottumwa
2240 ft · 55 sec
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6
Merge slight left
32.5 mi · 38 min
-
7
Continue straight
69.4 mi · 1 hr 20 min
-
8
Take the exit right
2180 ft · 53 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
-
10
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
1.2 mi · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 1 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
2714 ft · 1 min
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13
Continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis
1758 ft · 43 sec
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14
Continue on I-35 North: Minneapolis
2751 ft · 52 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis
102.4 mi · 1 hr 51 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
1 mi · 2 min
-
17
Merge slight left
3.6 mi · 4 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward Airport
1901 ft · 53 sec
-
19
Turn left onto Mallard Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Mallard Avenue
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20
Continue on South Eisenhower Avenue
2624 ft · 45 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
2017 ft · 48 sec · 1st Street Northwest
-
24
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
100 m · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue
-
25
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
7 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairfield and Mason City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 35 North
Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis
102 mi · 01h 51m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Fairfield and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Mason City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fairfield to Mason City?
The road trip is about 227.4 miles (366 km) and usually takes 03h 33m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Saylorville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113.4 miles from Fairfield and 114.1 miles from Mason City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 161.2 miles (259.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 66.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.28 one way or $60.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fairfield and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Mason City.
Stop Ideas Near Saylorville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saylorville.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fairfield and Mason City. Straight-line distance: 161.23 mi (259.47 km).
#1 Fairfield
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 10,500 |
| Coordinates | 41.0086300, -91.9626700 |
| Altitude | 236 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Mason City
City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
| Population | 26,931 |
| Coordinates | 43.1535700, -93.2010400 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
End: 2nd Street Northeast (-93.201041, 43.153613)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 366 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.28 | $60.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.15 | $68.30 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.37 | $74.74 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.59 | $85.18 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Iowa · Apr 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.