Nestled in North Central Iowa, Mason City is a conveniently located hub for travelers, positioned halfway between Des Moines, Iowa, and Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Just eight miles east of Interstate 35, the city offers easy access to major highways, including the Avenue of the Saints (Highway 18/US 27), just minutes south of city limits.
The community’s key corridors include Highway 65 (north/south) and Highway 122 (east/west), seamlessly connecting Mason City with neighboring Clear Lake. The Mason City Municipal Airport, located along Highway 122 and only three minutes off I-35, offers convenient air travel with four daily commercial flights.
Mason City is a short 45-minute drive from Interstate 90 and just two hours from Interstate 80, making it easily accessible for visitors. Its proximity to several larger metropolitan areas further enhances its appeal as a regional tourism, business, and recreation destination.
| IOWA CITIES | DISTANCE | DRIVE TIME | MIDWEST CITIES | DISTANCE | DRIVE TIME |
| Burlington, IA | 249 miles | 4 hours 22 minutes | Chicago, IL | 337 miles | 6 hours 20 minutes |
| Cedar Falls, IA | 78 miles | 1 hour 20 minutes | Fargo, ND | 365 miles | 5 hours 40 minutes |
Cedar Rapids, IA | 146 miles | 2 hours 22 minutes | Kansas City, MO | 312 miles | 5 hours |
| Council Bluffs, IA | 245 miles | 4 hours | Madison, WI | 299 miles | 4 hours 45 minutes |
| Des Moines, IA | 120 miles | 2 hours | Milwaukee, WI | 371 miles | 5 hours 50 minutes |
| Dubuque, IA | 164 miles | 3 hours | Minneapolis, MN | 135 miles | 2 hours |
| Iowa City, IA | 164 miles | 2 hours 50 minutes | Omaha, NE | 253 miles | 4 hours |
| Quad Cities, IA | 223 miles | 3 hours 45 minutes | Rochester, MN | 97 miles | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Sioux City, IA | 197 miles | 4 hours | Sioux Falls, SD | 207 miles | 3 hours 25 minutes |
| Spirit Lake/Okoboji, IA | 116 miles | 2 hours 40 minutes | Springfield, IL | 462 miles | 6 hours |
| Waterloo, IA | 84 miles | 1 hour 20 | St. Louis, MO | 436 miles | 7 hours 45 minutes |
| Witchita, KS | 502 miles | 7 hours 50 minutes |
