How far is Cedar Falls, IA from Mason City, IA?

The driving distance from Cedar Falls, IA to Mason City, IA is about 78.7 miles (126.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 57.7 miles (92.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
78.75 mi
01h 17m
Flight
57.75 mi
92.94 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cedar Falls.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
57.75 mi
Kilometers
92.94 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
78.75 mi
Kilometers
126.73 km
Drive Time
01h 17m

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 01h 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mason City
Thu, Apr 23, 3:46 AM CDT
Return by in Cedar Falls
Thu, Apr 23, 5:04 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Falls
2026-04-23T02:29
Arrive Mason City
Thu, Apr 23, 3:46 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:18 AM to 11:18 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:54 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cedar Falls
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Nashua
IA

City in Chickasaw and Floyd counties in Iowa, United States

From Cedar Falls
38.9 mi
00h 38m
To Mason City
39.8 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 23 mph S
Destination
72°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
21 to 29 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cedar Falls and Mason City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls and Mason City.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    16 m · 8 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Main Street

    19 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Waterloo Road

    55 m · 4 sec · Waterloo Road

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Waterloo Road

    2177 ft · 54 sec · Waterloo Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left toward IA 27 north, IA 58 north

    1368 ft · 33 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    70.1 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward CR S56: California Avenue

    2392 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Thrush Avenue

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Thrush Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn left onto 4th Street Southeast

    2.7 mi · 4 min · 4th Street Southeast

  10. 10

    Turn slight right onto Maple Drive

    2017 ft · 56 sec · Maple Drive

  11. 11

    Turn left onto East State Street

    2988 ft · 1 min · East State Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 1st Street Northeast

    2567 ft · 55 sec · 1st Street Northeast

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Federal Avenue

    100 m · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast

    7 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cedar Falls and Mason City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
15 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
70.1 mi · 89%
4th Street Southeast
2.68 mi · 3%
Thrush Avenue
2.41 mi · 3%
East State Street
0.57 mi · 1%
1st Street Northeast
0.49 mi · 1%
CR S56
0.45 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

70.1 mi · 01h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 17m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21 mi
57.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Nashua
00h 38m from Cedar Falls
Leave By
3:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cedar Falls and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Mason City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cedar Falls to Mason City?

The road trip is about 78.7 miles (126.7 km) and usually takes 01h 17m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Nashua is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.9 miles from Cedar Falls and 39.8 miles from Mason City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 57.7 miles (92.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 21 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.48 one way or $20.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cedar Falls and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Mason City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Falls and Mason City. Straight-line distance: 57.75 mi (92.94 km).

Cedar Falls

#1 Cedar Falls

The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population40,231
Coordinates42.5277600, -92.4454700
Altitude268
CountryUnited States
Mason City

#2 Mason City

City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Population26,931
Coordinates43.1535700, -93.2010400
Altitude344
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-92.44555, 42.52776)
End: 2nd Street Northeast (-93.201041, 43.153613)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 127 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.78 gal
10.52 L · about $10.48
Round trip
$20.97
5.56 gal · 21.04 L
Estimated CO2
24.7 kg one way
Round trip: 49.4 kg / 109 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.48 $20.97
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.82 $23.65
Premium $4.65 $12.94 $25.88
Diesel $5.30 $14.75 $29.49

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Cedar Falls and Mason City. The current time is 02:29:18.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.