How far is Red Oak, IA from Mason City, IA?
The driving distance from Red Oak, IA to Mason City, IA is about 240.7 miles (387.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 180.9 miles (291.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 43m 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 51m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Red Oak and Mason City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Oak and Mason City.
-
1
Start on East Reed Street
1980 ft · 1 min · East Reed Street
-
2
Turn right onto North Broadway Street
14 mi · 21 min · North Broadway Street
-
3
Continue on M Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · M Avenue
-
4
Continue on 550th Street
4.8 mi · 7 min · 550th Street
-
5
Continue on Adair Street
1.5 km · 1 min · Adair Street
-
6
Continue on 550th Street
5.3 mi · 8 min · 550th Street
-
7
Turn right onto White Pole Road
8.9 mi · 13 min · White Pole Road
-
8
Continue on Southwest 7th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street
-
9
Continue on West 7th Street
1 km · 1 min · West 7th Street
-
10
Continue on White Pole Road
757 ft · 22 sec · White Pole Road
-
11
Continue on East 7th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · East 7th Street
-
12
Turn left onto 650th Street
6.4 mi · 9 min · 650th Street
-
13
Take the exit right
62 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
103.6 mi · 1 hr 52 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
1 mi · 2 min
-
17
Merge slight left
3.6 mi · 4 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward Airport
1901 ft · 53 sec
-
19
Turn left onto Mallard Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Mallard Avenue
-
20
Continue on South Eisenhower Avenue
2624 ft · 45 sec · South Eisenhower Avenue
-
21
Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest
2.5 mi · 4 min · 19th Street Southwest
-
22
Turn left onto South Monroe Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Monroe Avenue
-
23
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
2017 ft · 48 sec · 1st Street Northwest
-
24
Turn left onto North Federal Avenue
100 m · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue
-
25
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast
7 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Red Oak and Mason City.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
I 35 North
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
104 mi · 01h 52m
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 Showers then Sunny leaving Red Oak and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Mason City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Red Oak to Mason City?
The road trip is about 240.7 miles (387.3 km) and usually takes 03h 51m 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?
Johnston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.9 miles from Red Oak and 121.7 miles from Mason City.
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 59.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.02 one way or $64.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Red Oak and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Mason City.
Stop Ideas Near Johnston
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 Johnston.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Red Oak and Mason City. Straight-line distance: 180.87 mi (291.08 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Mason City
City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
| Population | 26,931 |
| Coordinates | 43.1535700, -93.2010400 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
End: 2nd Street Northeast (-93.201041, 43.153613)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 387 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.02 | $64.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.11 | $72.22 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.51 | $79.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.03 | $90.06 |
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.