How far is Mason City, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Mason City, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 247.9 miles (399 km), with a travel time of about 03h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 188.7 miles (303.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 34m 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 47m.
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.
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mason City and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mason City and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on 2nd Street Northeast
7 m · 6 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
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2
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
100 m · 17 sec · North Federal Avenue
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3
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
2017 ft · 48 sec · 1st Street Northwest
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4
Turn left onto North Monroe Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Monroe Avenue
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5
Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest
2.5 mi · 4 min · 19th Street Southwest
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6
Turn left onto South Eisenhower Avenue
2624 ft · 41 sec · South Eisenhower Avenue
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7
Continue on Mallard Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Mallard Avenue
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8
Take the ramp right
2217 ft · 54 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
3.5 mi · 4 min · Avenue of the Saints
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10
Take the exit slight left toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1.4 km · 1 min
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11
Continue on I 35 South: Des Moines
2643 ft · 32 sec
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12
Merge slight left
102.7 mi · 1 hr 51 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
14.3 mi · 16 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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17
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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18
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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19
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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20
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mason City and Council Bluffs.
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 South
Merge slight left
103 mi · 01h 51m
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 Mason City and Partly Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mason City to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 247.9 miles (399 km) and usually takes 03h 47m 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?
Urbandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.7 miles from Mason City and 124.3 miles from Council Bluffs.
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 59.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.00 one way or $65.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mason City and Partly Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Urbandale
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 Urbandale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mason City and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 188.69 mi (303.67 km).
#1 Mason City
City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
| Population | 26,931 |
| Coordinates | 43.1535700, -93.2010400 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Council Bluffs
The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
| Population | 62,216 |
| Coordinates | 41.2619400, -95.8608300 |
| Altitude | 301 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Broadway (-95.86083, 41.261939)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 399 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.00 | $65.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.21 | $74.43 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.72 | $81.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.41 | $92.82 |
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.