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

The driving distance from Decorah, IA to Mason City, IA is about 83.6 miles (134.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72 miles (115.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 22m 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
83.65 mi
01h 41m
Flight
72 mi
115.87 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Decorah.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
72 mi
Kilometers
115.87 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
83.65 mi
Kilometers
134.62 km
Drive Time
01h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mason City
Sun, Apr 26, 8:33 PM CDT
Return by in Decorah
Sun, Apr 26, 10:14 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Decorah
2026-04-26T18:52
Arrive Mason City
Sun, Apr 26, 8:33 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:08 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Decorah
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
Ionia
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Decorah
44 mi
00h 50m
To Mason City
39.6 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph SE
Destination
69°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 17 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    120 m · 23 sec · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Winnebago Street

    104 m · 17 sec · Winnebago Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Broadway Street

    989 ft · 25 sec · West Broadway Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Mechanic Street

    2540 ft · 1 min · South Mechanic Street

  5. 5

    Turn slight right onto Short Street

    2148 ft · 1 min · Short Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto State Highway 9

    2194 ft · 46 sec · State Highway 9

  7. 7

    Turn left

    9.6 mi · 14 min

  8. 8

    Turn right onto South Street

    1043 ft · 49 sec · South Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Charles Street

    1751 ft · 39 sec · Charles Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 24

    3237 ft · 52 sec · State Highway 24

  11. 11

    Continue on Highway 24

    3252 ft · 50 sec · Highway 24

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 24

    2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 24

  13. 13

    Continue on 1st Street Southeast

    1363 ft · 42 sec · 1st Street Southeast

  14. 14

    Continue on State Highway 24

    20.3 mi · 28 min · State Highway 24

  15. 15

    Continue on East Main Street

    1.7 mi · 4 min · East Main Street

  16. 16

    Continue on 210th Street

    1801 ft · 39 sec · 210th Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Kenwood Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Kenwood Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto 200th Street

    11 mi · 15 min · 200th Street

  19. 19

    Continue on 200th Avenue

    5 mi · 7 min · 200th Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on 5th Avenue

    1761 ft · 50 sec · 5th Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto 4th Avenue

    1 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on Brantingham Street

    759 ft · 26 sec · Brantingham Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Clark Street

    1319 ft · 34 sec · Clark Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1198 ft · 39 sec · North Main Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Gilbert Street

    2.5 mi · 5 min · Gilbert Street

  26. 26

    Turn straight onto 185th Street

    862 ft · 14 sec · 185th Street

  27. 27

    Take the ramp right

    1685 ft · 41 sec

  28. 28

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    21.5 mi · 25 min · Avenue of the Saints

  29. 29

    Take the exit slight right toward CR S56: California Avenue

    2392 ft · 1 min

  30. 30

    Turn right onto Thrush Avenue

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Thrush Avenue

  31. 31

    Turn left onto 4th Street Southeast

    2.7 mi · 4 min · 4th Street Southeast

  32. 32

    Turn slight right onto Maple Drive

    2017 ft · 56 sec · Maple Drive

  33. 33

    Turn left onto East State Street

    2988 ft · 1 min · East State Street

  34. 34

    Turn right onto 1st Street Northeast

    2567 ft · 55 sec · 1st Street Northeast

  35. 35

    Turn right onto North Federal Avenue

    100 m · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue

  36. 36

    Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast

    7 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

  37. 37

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
37 steps
22 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
44.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 24
23.6 mi · 28%
Avenue of the Saints
21.5 mi · 26%
200th Street
11 mi · 13%
200th Avenue
5.02 mi · 6%
4th Street Southeast
2.68 mi · 3%
Gilbert Street
2.52 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.6 mi
72 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ionia
00h 50m from Decorah
Leave By
3:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Decorah and Partly Sunny near Mason City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 83.6 miles (134.6 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?

Ionia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44 miles from Decorah and 39.6 miles from Mason City.

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

The direct path is about 72 miles (115.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.6 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 3:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.12 one way or $22.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Decorah and Partly Sunny near Mason City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Decorah and Mason City. Straight-line distance: 72 mi (115.87 km).

Decorah

#1 Decorah

Town in Iowa

Population7,484
Coordinates43.3033100, -91.7857100
Altitude268
CountryUnited States
Mason City

#2 Mason City

City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Population26,931
Coordinates43.1535700, -93.2010400
Altitude344
CountryUnited States
Start: East Main Street (-91.785711, 43.303266)
End: 2nd Street Northeast (-93.201041, 43.153613)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 135 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.95 gal
11.17 L · about $11.12
Round trip
$22.25
5.9 gal · 22.34 L
Estimated CO2
26.2 kg one way
Round trip: 52.4 kg / 116 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.12 $22.25
Mid-grade $4.25 $12.55 $25.09
Premium $4.65 $13.73 $27.46
Diesel $5.30 $15.65 $31.29

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 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Decorah and Mason City. The current time is 18:52:01.

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.