How far is Sergeant Bluff, IA from Mason City, IA?

The driving distance from Sergeant Bluff, IA to Mason City, IA is about 209 miles (336.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 168.3 miles (270.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
208.99 mi
03h 14m
Flight
168.29 mi
270.83 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sergeant Bluff.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
168.29 mi
Kilometers
270.83 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
208.99 mi
Kilometers
336.34 km
Drive Time
03h 14m

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 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mason City
Wed, Apr 29, 10:44 PM CDT
Return by in Sergeant Bluff
Thu, Apr 30, 1:59 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sergeant Bluff
2026-04-29T19:30
Arrive Mason City
Wed, Apr 29, 10:44 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:15 AM to 11:15 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:30 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sergeant Bluff
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Knierim
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Sergeant Bluff
103.6 mi
01h 37m
To Mason City
105.3 mi
01h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
40°F
Tonight

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 7:00 PM CDT
Wind
5 mph W
Destination
38°F
Overnight

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sergeant Bluff and Mason City.

  1. 1

    Start on 4th Street

    118 m · 24 sec · 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn sharp left onto South Lewis Boulevard

    2.3 mi · 4 min · South Lewis Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Singing Hills Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Singing Hills Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Lakeport Street

    1789 ft · 55 sec · South Lakeport Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward US 20 East, US 75 North

    2084 ft · 27 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight right

    2 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward Fort Dodge

    2241 ft · 55 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Fort Dodge

    141.9 mi · 2 hr 46 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North: Mason City

    1647 ft · 56 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    47.4 mi · 51 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City

    1 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    3.6 mi · 4 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Airport

    1901 ft · 53 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Mallard Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Mallard Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on South Eisenhower Avenue

    2624 ft · 45 sec · South Eisenhower Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest

    2.5 mi · 4 min · 19th Street Southwest

  17. 17

    Turn left onto South Monroe Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Monroe Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest

    2017 ft · 48 sec · 1st Street Northwest

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North Federal Avenue

    100 m · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast

    7 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Fort Dodge
142 mi · 68%
I 35 North
47.8 mi · 23%
US 18 East
4.63 mi · 2%
19th Street Southwest
2.51 mi · 1%
US 20 East
2.36 mi · 1%
South Lewis Boulevard
2.27 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Fort Dodge

Keep slight right to continue on Fort Dodge

142 mi · 02h 46m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 14m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.7 mi
168.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Knierim
01h 37m from Sergeant Bluff
Leave By
10:30 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Sergeant Bluff and Chance Rain Showers near Mason City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sergeant Bluff to Mason City?

The road trip is about 209 miles (336.3 km) and usually takes 03h 14m 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?

Knierim is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.6 miles from Sergeant Bluff and 105.3 miles from Mason City.

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

The direct path is about 168.3 miles (270.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.7 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 10:30 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.83 one way or $55.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Sergeant Bluff and Chance Rain Showers near Mason City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sergeant Bluff and Mason City. Straight-line distance: 168.29 mi (270.83 km).

Sergeant Bluff

#1 Sergeant Bluff

City in Woodbury County, Iowa, United States of America

Population5,119
Coordinates42.4038800, -96.3586400
Altitude334
CountryUnited States
Mason City

#2 Mason City

City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Population26,931
Coordinates43.1535700, -93.2010400
Altitude344
CountryUnited States
Start: 4th Street (-96.35864, 42.40386)
End: 2nd Street Northeast (-93.201041, 43.153613)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 336 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.38 gal
27.92 L · about $27.83
Round trip
$55.66
14.76 gal · 55.84 L
Estimated CO2
65.6 kg one way
Round trip: 131.2 kg / 289 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.83 $55.66
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.39 $62.77
Premium $4.65 $34.35 $68.69
Diesel $5.30 $39.14 $78.29

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Sergeant Bluff and Mason City. The current time is 19:30:13.

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.