How far is Charles City, IA from Mason City, IA?
The driving distance from Charles City, IA to Mason City, IA is about 33.1 miles (53.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.3 miles (44 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 39m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Human settlement in Floyd County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charles City and Mason City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charles City and Mason City.
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1
Start on 4th Avenue
9 m · 3 sec · 4th Avenue
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2
Continue on Brantingham Street
759 ft · 26 sec · Brantingham Street
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3
Turn right onto Clark Street
1319 ft · 34 sec · Clark Street
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4
Turn left onto North Main Street
1198 ft · 39 sec · North Main Street
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5
Turn right onto Gilbert Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · Gilbert Street
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6
Turn straight onto 185th Street
862 ft · 14 sec · 185th Street
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7
Take the ramp right
1685 ft · 41 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
21.5 mi · 25 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CR S56: California Avenue
2392 ft · 1 min
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10
Turn right onto Thrush Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · Thrush Avenue
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11
Turn left onto 4th Street Southeast
2.7 mi · 4 min · 4th Street Southeast
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12
Turn slight right onto Maple Drive
2017 ft · 56 sec · Maple Drive
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13
Turn left onto East State Street
2988 ft · 1 min · East State Street
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14
Turn right onto 1st Street Northeast
2567 ft · 55 sec · 1st Street Northeast
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15
Turn right onto North Federal Avenue
100 m · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue
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16
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
7 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charles City and Mason City.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
21.5 mi · 00h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Charles City and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Mason City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charles City to Mason City?
The road trip is about 33.1 miles (53.2 km) and usually takes 00h 39m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rudd is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16 miles from Charles City and 17 miles from Mason City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.3 miles (44 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.37 one way or $8.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Charles City and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Mason City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charles City and Mason City. Straight-line distance: 27.33 mi (43.99 km).
#1 Charles City
City in Iowa
| Population | 7,307 |
| Coordinates | 43.0663600, -92.6724100 |
| Altitude | 307 |
| 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: 53 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.37 | $8.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.93 | $9.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.40 | $10.80 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.15 | $12.31 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.