How far is Grinnell, IA from Mason City, IA?
The driving distance from Grinnell, IA to Mason City, IA is about 121.8 miles (196 km), with a travel time of about 02h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100.5 miles (161.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 25m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Grinnell and Mason City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grinnell and Mason City.
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1
Start on Park Street
21 m · 10 sec · Park Street
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2
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
1329 ft · 34 sec · 4th Avenue
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3
Turn right onto West Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · West Street
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4
Continue on West Avenue
803 ft · 12 sec · West Avenue
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5
Continue on State Highway 146
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Highway 146
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6
Continue on 330th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 330th Street
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7
Continue on East Strait Street
810 ft · 18 sec · East Strait Street
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8
Turn slight right onto South Elm Street
1239 ft · 35 sec · South Elm Street
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9
Turn slight right onto Pleasant View
1558 ft · 39 sec · Pleasant View
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10
Continue on Zeller Avenue
8 mi · 11 min · Zeller Avenue
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11
Continue on Beane Street
2601 ft · 52 sec · Beane Street
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12
Continue on Zeller Avenue
2275 ft · 51 sec · Zeller Avenue
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13
Take the ramp left
2088 ft · 57 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
39.9 mi · 46 min · Lincoln Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
2992 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left
77.9 mi · 1 hr 24 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
1 mi · 2 min
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18
Merge slight left
3.6 mi · 4 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Airport
1901 ft · 53 sec
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20
Turn left onto Mallard Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Mallard Avenue
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21
Continue on South Eisenhower Avenue
2624 ft · 45 sec · South Eisenhower Avenue
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22
Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest
2.5 mi · 4 min · 19th Street Southwest
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23
Turn left onto South Monroe Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Monroe Avenue
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24
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
2017 ft · 48 sec · 1st Street Northwest
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25
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
100 m · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue
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26
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
7 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Grinnell and Mason City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 35 North
Merge slight left
77.9 mi · 01h 24m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Grinnell and 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 Grinnell to Mason City?
The road trip is about 121.8 miles (196 km) and usually takes 02h 25m 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?
Story City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.9 miles from Grinnell and 45.9 miles from Mason City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 100.5 miles (161.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.3 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 1:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.22 one way or $32.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Grinnell and Mostly Sunny near Mason City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Grinnell and Mason City. Straight-line distance: 100.46 mi (161.68 km).
#1 Grinnell
City in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 9,096 |
| Coordinates | 41.7430500, -92.7224100 |
| Altitude | 309 |
| 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: 196 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.22 | $32.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.29 | $36.58 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.01 | $40.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.81 | $45.61 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.