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

The driving distance from Mason City, IA to Grimes, IA is about 122.2 miles (196.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 105.6 miles (170 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 54m 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
122.17 mi
02h 27m
Flight
105.61 mi
169.97 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mason City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
105.61 mi
Kilometers
169.97 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
122.17 mi
Kilometers
196.62 km
Drive Time
02h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Grimes
Wed, Apr 22, 11:22 PM CDT
Return by in Mason City
Thu, Apr 23, 1:49 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mason City
2026-04-22T20:55
Arrive Grimes
Wed, Apr 22, 11:22 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:27 AM to 12:27 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mason City
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
Williams
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Mason City
61.1 mi
01h 13m
To Grimes
61.1 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 17 mph SE
Destination
79°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 16 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Street Northeast

    7 m · 6 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Federal Avenue

    100 m · 17 sec · North Federal Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest

    2017 ft · 48 sec · 1st Street Northwest

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North Monroe Avenue

    1.3 mi · 3 min · North Monroe Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest

    2.5 mi · 4 min · 19th Street Southwest

  6. 6

    Turn left onto South Eisenhower Avenue

    2624 ft · 41 sec · South Eisenhower Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on Mallard Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Mallard Avenue

  8. 8

    Take the ramp right

    2217 ft · 54 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Avenue of the Saints

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight left toward I 35 South: Des Moines

    1.4 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Continue on I 35 South: Des Moines

    2643 ft · 32 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    93 mi · 1 hr 40 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Elkhart, Polk City

    2390 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Northeast 126th Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Northeast 126th Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Northeast 14th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast 14th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Northeast 118th Avenue

    2657 ft · 41 sec · Northeast 118th Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on Northwest 118th Avenue

    4.7 mi · 7 min · Northwest 118th Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on East Northside Drive

    2378 ft · 1 min · East Northside Drive

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North 3rd Street

    1.6 km · 3 min · North 3rd Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto West Bridge Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · West Bridge Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Mile Long Bridge

    1.5 km · 2 min · Mile Long Bridge

  22. 22

    Continue on Northwest 112th Street

    2564 ft · 49 sec · Northwest 112th Street

  23. 23

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwest Saylorville Drive

    37 m · 2 sec · Northwest Saylorville Drive

  24. 24

    Exit the roundabout onto Northwest Saylorville Drive

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Northwest Saylorville Drive

  25. 25

    Take the ramp straight

    3094 ft · 1 min

  26. 26

    Merge slight left onto Northwest 114th Street

    2 mi · 2 min · Northwest 114th Street

  27. 27

    Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard

    1.1 km · 57 sec · Northeast Grimes Boulevard

  28. 28

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 44: Grimes, Saylorville Lake

    1733 ft · 49 sec

  29. 29

    Turn right onto East 1st Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · East 1st Street

  30. 30

    Turn left onto Southeast Main Street

    7 m · 1 sec · Southeast Main Street

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southeast Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
31 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
3 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35 South
94.4 mi · 77%
Northwest 118th Avenue
4.69 mi · 4%
Avenue of the Saints
3.46 mi · 3%
19th Street Southwest
2.51 mi · 2%
Northwest Saylorville Drive
2.14 mi · 2%
Northwest 114th Street
2.02 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 35 South

Merge slight left

93 mi · 01h 40m

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
02h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.6 mi
105.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williams
01h 13m from Mason City
Leave By
1:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Mason City and Sunny near Grimes.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 122.2 miles (196.6 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?

Williams is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.1 miles from Mason City and 61.1 miles from Grimes.

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

The direct path is about 105.6 miles (170 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.6 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 1:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.25 one way or $32.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mason City and Sunny near Grimes.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mason City and Grimes. Straight-line distance: 105.61 mi (169.97 km).

Mason City

#1 Mason City

City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Population26,931
Coordinates43.1535700, -93.2010400
Altitude344
CountryUnited States
Grimes

#2 Grimes

City in Iowa, United States

Population15,831
Coordinates41.6883200, -93.7910600
Altitude291
CountryUnited States
Start: Mason City (-93.20104, 43.15357)
End: Grimes (-93.79106, 41.68832)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 197 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 02m
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.

One-way fuel
4.31 gal
16.32 L · about $16.25
Round trip
$32.51
8.62 gal · 32.64 L
Estimated CO2
38.3 kg one way
Round trip: 76.6 kg / 169 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.25 $32.51
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.33 $36.66
Premium $4.65 $20.06 $40.12
Diesel $5.30 $22.86 $45.72

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Mason City and Grimes. The current time is 20:55:00.

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.