How far is Mason City, IA from Red Oak, IA?
The driving distance from Mason City, IA to Red Oak, IA is about 237.9 miles (382.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 180.9 miles (291.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 30m 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 04h 45m.
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 Polk County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mason City and Red Oak.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mason City and Red Oak.
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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
62.3 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
1922 ft · 49 sec
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16
Turn left onto 650th Street
6.5 mi · 9 min · 650th Street
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17
Turn right onto East 7th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · East 7th Street
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18
Continue on White Pole Road
757 ft · 20 sec · White Pole Road
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19
Continue on West 7th Street
1 km · 1 min · West 7th Street
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20
Continue on Southwest 7th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street
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21
Continue on White Pole Road
8.9 mi · 13 min · White Pole Road
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22
Turn left onto 550th Street
5.3 mi · 8 min · 550th Street
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23
Continue on Adair Street
1.5 km · 1 min · Adair Street
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24
Continue on 550th Street
4.8 mi · 7 min · 550th Street
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25
Continue on M Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · M Avenue
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26
Continue on 110 Street
14 mi · 21 min · 110 Street
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27
Turn left onto West Hammond Street
2305 ft · 2 min · West Hammond Street
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28
Turn right onto North 7th Street
91 m · 15 sec · North 7th Street
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29
Turn right onto East Reed Street
100 m · 14 sec · East Reed Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Reed Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mason City and Red Oak.
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Mason City and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Red Oak.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mason City to Red Oak?
The road trip is about 237.9 miles (382.9 km) and usually takes 04h 45m 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?
Saylorville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.9 miles from Mason City and 119 miles from Red Oak.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 180.9 miles (291.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 57 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 7:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.68 one way or $63.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Mason City and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Red Oak.
Stop Ideas Near Saylorville
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 Saylorville.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mason City and Red Oak. Straight-line distance: 180.87 mi (291.08 km).
#1 Mason City
City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
| Population | 26,931 |
| Coordinates | 43.1535700, -93.2010400 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Red Oak
City in and county seat of Montgomery County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,271 |
| Coordinates | 41.0097200, -95.2255500 |
| Altitude | 320 |
| Country | United States |
End: Red Oak (-95.22555, 41.00972)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 383 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.68 | $63.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.73 | $71.45 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.09 | $78.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.55 | $89.11 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.