How far is Le Mars, IA from Mason City, IA?
The driving distance from Le Mars, IA to Mason City, IA is about 171.7 miles (276.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.9 miles (244.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 29m 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 14m.
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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Le Mars and Mason City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Le Mars and Mason City.
-
1
Start on 1st Street Northeast
2204 ft · 1 min · 1st Street Northeast
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto 5th Avenue Northwest
1.5 mi · 2 min · 5th Avenue Northwest
-
3
Take the ramp right
1817 ft · 44 sec
-
4
Merge slight left
33.7 mi · 39 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward US 18: Spencer
2017 ft · 50 sec
-
6
Turn right onto 320th Street
7.5 mi · 10 min · 320th Street
-
7
Continue on US-18
1 km · 1 min · US-18
-
8
Continue on 320th Street
21.3 mi · 30 min · 320th Street
-
9
Turn right onto 180th Avenue
2.8 mi · 4 min · 180th Avenue
-
10
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road B24
1 mi · 1 min · County Road B24
-
11
Continue on West 4th Street
1 mi · 1 min · West 4th Street
-
12
Turn right onto 32nd Avenue West
1341 ft · 25 sec · 32nd Avenue West
-
13
Continue on 200th Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · 200th Avenue
-
14
Turn left onto 360th Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · 360th Street
-
15
Continue on 11th Street Southwest
2.5 mi · 4 min · 11th Street Southwest
-
16
Continue on 360th Street
20.8 mi · 31 min · 360th Street
-
17
Continue on 450th Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · 450th Avenue
-
18
Continue on Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · Main Street
-
19
Continue on 370th Street
5.9 mi · 9 min · 370th Street
-
20
Keep slight right to continue on 525th Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · 525th Avenue
-
21
Turn left onto US Highway 18
65.6 mi · 1 hr 32 min · US Highway 18
-
22
Continue on 4th Street Southwest
2 mi · 4 min · 4th Street Southwest
-
23
Turn left onto Winnebago Way
2404 ft · 1 min · Winnebago Way
-
24
Continue on 1st Street Northwest
1.2 mi · 2 min · 1st Street Northwest
-
25
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
100 m · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue
-
26
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
7 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Le Mars and Mason City.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
US Highway 18
Turn left onto US Highway 18
65.6 mi · 01h 32m
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.
Sunny leaving Le Mars and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Mason City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Le Mars to Mason City?
The road trip is about 171.7 miles (276.3 km) and usually takes 03h 14m 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?
Ruthven is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.9 miles from Le Mars and 83.9 miles from Mason City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.9 miles (244.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.85 one way or $45.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Le Mars and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Mason City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Le Mars and Mason City. Straight-line distance: 151.9 mi (244.46 km).
#1 Le Mars
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 10,195 |
| Coordinates | 42.7941600, -96.1655800 |
| Altitude | 376 |
| 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: 276 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.85 | $45.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.77 | $51.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.20 | $56.41 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.14 | $64.28 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.