How far is Clive, IA from Mason City, IA?

The driving distance from Clive, IA to Mason City, IA is about 126.6 miles (203.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 110.4 miles (177.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 04m 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
126.61 mi
02h 02m
Flight
110.41 mi
177.68 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clive.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
110.41 mi
Kilometers
177.68 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
126.61 mi
Kilometers
203.76 km
Drive Time
02h 02m

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 02h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mason City
Thu, May 7, 1:33 PM CDT
Return by in Clive
Thu, May 7, 3:35 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clive
2026-05-07T11:30
Arrive Mason City
Thu, May 7, 1:33 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Clive
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
Ellsworth
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Clive
63.1 mi
01h 01m
To Mason City
63.5 mi
01h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph WSW
Destination
62°F
Thursday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 12 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clive and Mason City.

  1. 1

    Start on Northwest 78th Street

    860 ft · 43 sec · Northwest 78th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto University Avenue

    1767 ft · 40 sec · University Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 73rd Street

    3044 ft · 1 min · 73rd Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-235 east

    1512 ft · 37 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    11.7 mi · 15 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    101.7 mi · 1 hr 50 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City

    1 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    3.6 mi · 4 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Airport

    1901 ft · 53 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Mallard Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Mallard Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on South Eisenhower Avenue

    2624 ft · 45 sec · South Eisenhower Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest

    2.5 mi · 4 min · 19th Street Southwest

  13. 13

    Turn left onto South Monroe Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Monroe Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest

    2017 ft · 48 sec · 1st Street Northwest

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Federal Avenue

    100 m · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast

    7 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John MacVicar Freeway
113 mi · 90%
US 18 East
4.63 mi · 4%
19th Street Southwest
2.51 mi · 2%
Mallard Avenue
1.54 mi · 1%
South Monroe Avenue
1.34 mi · 1%
73rd Street
0.58 mi
Longest Stretch

John MacVicar Freeway

Continue straight

102 mi · 01h 50m

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
02h 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.2 mi
110.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ellsworth
01h 01m from Clive
Leave By
2:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Clive and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Mason City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Clive to Mason City?

The road trip is about 126.6 miles (203.8 km) and usually takes 02h 02m 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?

Ellsworth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.1 miles from Clive and 63.5 miles from Mason City.

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

The direct path is about 110.4 miles (177.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.86 one way or $33.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Clive and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Mason City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clive and Mason City. Straight-line distance: 110.41 mi (177.68 km).

Clive

#1 Clive

Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America

Population17,444
Coordinates41.6030400, -93.7241100
Altitude254
CountryUnited States
Mason City

#2 Mason City

City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Population26,931
Coordinates43.1535700, -93.2010400
Altitude344
CountryUnited States
Start: Northwest 78th Street (-93.724252, 41.603039)
End: 2nd Street Northeast (-93.201041, 43.153613)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 204 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.47 gal
16.91 L · about $16.86
Round trip
$33.71
8.94 gal · 33.82 L
Estimated CO2
39.7 kg one way
Round trip: 79.4 kg / 175 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.86 $33.71
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.01 $38.02
Premium $4.65 $20.80 $41.61
Diesel $5.30 $23.71 $47.42

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 · May 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Clive and Mason City. The current time is 11:30:47.

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.