How far is Mason City, IA from Estherville, IA?
The driving distance from Mason City, IA to Estherville, IA is about 97.6 miles (157 km), with a travel time of about 02h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 83.8 miles (134.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 44m 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 22m.
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.
Human settlement in Winnebago County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mason City and Estherville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mason City and Estherville.
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1
Start on 2nd Street Northeast
125 m · 25 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
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2
Turn left onto North Delaware Avenue
1726 ft · 1 min · North Delaware Avenue
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3
Turn straight onto North Federal Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Federal Avenue
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4
Continue on Osprey Avenue
1.6 km · 1 min · Osprey Avenue
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5
Turn left onto 300th Street
8.7 mi · 12 min · 300th Street
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6
Turn right onto Grouse Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · Grouse Avenue
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7
Continue on 310th Street
5 mi · 7 min · 310th Street
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8
Turn right onto Balsam Avenue
3.9 mi · 7 min · Balsam Avenue
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9
Turn left onto State Highway 9
2 mi · 3 min · State Highway 9
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10
Turn right onto 230th Avenue
5.2 mi · 7 min · 230th Avenue
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11
Turn left onto 400th Street
5.7 mi · 8 min · 400th Street
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto 170th Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · 170th Avenue
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13
Turn left onto State Highway 9
16 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9
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14
Continue on 1st Avenue East
2648 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue East
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15
Continue on State Highway 9
6.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 9
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16
Keep slight left to continue on State Highway 9
117 m · 6 sec · State Highway 9
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17
Continue on US Highway 169
6.4 mi · 9 min · US Highway 169
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18
Continue on State Highway 9
4.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 9
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19
Continue on 4th Avenue West
1.1 km · 59 sec · 4th Avenue West
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20
Continue on 430th Street
6.1 mi · 9 min · 430th Street
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21
Continue on 4th Avenue
3.1 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue
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22
Continue on State Highway 9
15.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9
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23
Continue on East Central Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · East Central Avenue
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24
Turn left onto South 9th Street
45 m · 4 sec · South 9th Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mason City and Estherville.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
State Highway 9
Turn left onto State Highway 9
16 mi · 00h 23m
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.
Sunny leaving Mason City and Sunny near Estherville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mason City to Estherville?
The road trip is about 97.6 miles (157 km) and usually takes 02h 22m 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?
Buffalo Center is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.7 miles from Mason City and 48.9 miles from Estherville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 83.8 miles (134.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.97 one way or $25.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mason City and Sunny near Estherville.
Stop Ideas Near Buffalo Center
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Forest City - City Hall - Municipal Services
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buffalo Center.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mason City and Estherville. Straight-line distance: 83.85 mi (134.94 km).
#1 Mason City
City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
| Population | 26,931 |
| Coordinates | 43.1535700, -93.2010400 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Estherville
City in Iowa
| Population | 5,587 |
| Coordinates | 43.4016300, -94.8327600 |
| Altitude | 395 |
| Country | United States |
End: Estherville (-94.83276, 43.40163)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 157 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.97 | $25.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.63 | $29.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.01 | $32.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $18.25 | $36.49 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.