How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Mason City, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Mason City, IA is about 249.1 miles (400.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 188.7 miles (303.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 39m 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 49m.
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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Mason City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Mason City.
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1
Start on West Broadway
1850 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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2
Continue on West Broadway
3251 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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3
Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard
4.2 mi · 8 min · West Kanesville Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp slight left
1399 ft · 34 sec
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5
Merge slight left
113.8 mi · 2 hr 2 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
103.6 mi · 1 hr 52 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
1 mi · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left
3.6 mi · 4 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Airport
1901 ft · 53 sec
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11
Turn left onto Mallard Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Mallard Avenue
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12
Continue on South Eisenhower Avenue
2624 ft · 45 sec · South Eisenhower Avenue
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13
Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest
2.5 mi · 4 min · 19th Street Southwest
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14
Turn left onto South Monroe Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Monroe Avenue
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15
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
2017 ft · 48 sec · 1st Street Northwest
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16
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
100 m · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue
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17
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
7 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Mason City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
West Kanesville Boulevard
Merge slight left
114 mi · 02h 02m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Sunny near Mason City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Mason City?
The road trip is about 249.1 miles (400.9 km) and usually takes 03h 49m 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?
Grimes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.1 miles from Council Bluffs and 125 miles from Mason City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 188.7 miles (303.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.4 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 9:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.15 one way or $66.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Council Bluffs and Sunny near Mason City.
Stop Ideas Near Grimes
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 Grimes.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Mason City. Straight-line distance: 188.69 mi (303.67 km).
#1 Council Bluffs
The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
| Population | 62,216 |
| Coordinates | 41.2619400, -95.8608300 |
| Altitude | 301 |
| 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: 401 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.15 | $66.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.38 | $74.77 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.91 | $81.82 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.62 | $93.24 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.