How far is Mason City, IA from Knoxville, IA?
The driving distance from Mason City, IA to Knoxville, IA is about 156.8 miles (252.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 126.7 miles (203.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 01m 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 00m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mason City and Knoxville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mason City and Knoxville.
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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
955 ft · 13 sec
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14
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 East: Davenport
1.3 km · 2 min
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15
Merge slight right
2.6 mi · 3 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
-
17
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
10.7 mi · 12 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
3203 ft · 1 min
-
19
Continue straight
18.5 mi · 21 min
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20
Turn left
6.6 mi · 8 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right
1 km · 1 min
-
22
Continue on McKimber Drive
2817 ft · 56 sec · McKimber Drive
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23
Continue on McKimber Street
1255 ft · 25 sec · McKimber Street
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24
Continue on West Pleasant Street
2673 ft · 59 sec · West Pleasant Street
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25
Turn left onto North Lincoln Street
11 m · 1 sec · North Lincoln Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Lincoln Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mason City and Knoxville.
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.
Rain Showers leaving Mason City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Knoxville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mason City to Knoxville?
The road trip is about 156.8 miles (252.3 km) and usually takes 03h 00m 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?
Story City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.4 miles from Mason City and 78.4 miles from Knoxville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 126.7 miles (203.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.1 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 10:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.25 one way or $46.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Mason City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Knoxville.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mason City and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 126.72 mi (203.93 km).
#1 Mason City
City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
| Population | 26,931 |
| Coordinates | 43.1535700, -93.2010400 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Knoxville
City in and seat of Marion County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 7,082 |
| Coordinates | 41.3208300, -93.1093700 |
| Altitude | 277 |
| Country | United States |
End: Knoxville (-93.10937, 41.32083)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 252 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.21 | $23.25 | $46.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.47 | $24.74 | $49.48 |
| Premium | $5.10 | $28.21 | $56.42 |
| Diesel | $6.07 | $33.57 | $67.15 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026