How far is Storm Lake, IA from Mason City, IA?

The driving distance from Storm Lake, IA to Mason City, IA is about 155.3 miles (249.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 107.7 miles (173.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 59m 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
155.29 mi
02h 29m
Flight
107.66 mi
173.26 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Storm Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
107.66 mi
Kilometers
173.26 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
155.29 mi
Kilometers
249.92 km
Drive Time
02h 29m

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 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mason City
Thu, Apr 16, 12:23 AM CDT
Return by in Storm Lake
Thu, Apr 16, 2:53 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Storm Lake
2026-04-15T21:54
Arrive Mason City
Thu, Apr 16, 12:23 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Storm Lake
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
Duncombe
IA

City in Webster County, Iowa, in the United States

From Storm Lake
77.4 mi
01h 14m
To Mason City
77.9 mi
01h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
47°F
Overnight

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE
Destination
49°F
Overnight

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Storm Lake and Mason City.

  1. 1

    Start on Grand Avenue

    942 ft · 40 sec · Grand Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on West Lakeshore Drive

    3.1 mi · 7 min · West Lakeshore Drive

  3. 3

    Continue on 130th Avenue

    10.9 mi · 15 min · 130th Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on US 71

    1014 ft · 20 sec · US 71

  5. 5

    Take the exit left toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge

    1841 ft · 51 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    81.2 mi · 1 hr 34 min

  7. 7

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

    1647 ft · 56 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    47.4 mi · 51 min

  9. 9

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

    1 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    3.6 mi · 4 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Airport

    1901 ft · 53 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Mallard Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Mallard Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on South Eisenhower Avenue

    2624 ft · 45 sec · South Eisenhower Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 19th Street Southwest

    2.5 mi · 4 min · 19th Street Southwest

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South Monroe Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Monroe Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest

    2017 ft · 48 sec · 1st Street Northwest

  17. 17

    Turn left onto North Federal Avenue

    100 m · 16 sec · North Federal Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 2nd Street Northeast

    7 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 East
81.6 mi · 53%
I 35 North
47.8 mi · 31%
130th Avenue
10.9 mi · 7%
US 18 East
4.63 mi · 3%
West Lakeshore Drive
3.11 mi · 2%
19th Street Southwest
2.51 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 20 East

Merge slight left

81.2 mi · 01h 34m

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 29m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+47.6 mi
107.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Duncombe
01h 14m from Storm Lake
Leave By
1:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Storm Lake and Slight 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 Storm Lake to Mason City?

The road trip is about 155.3 miles (249.9 km) and usually takes 02h 29m 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?

Duncombe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.4 miles from Storm Lake and 77.9 miles from Mason City.

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

The direct path is about 107.7 miles (173.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.6 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 1:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.67 one way or $41.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Storm Lake and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Mason City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Storm Lake and Mason City. Straight-line distance: 107.66 mi (173.26 km).

Storm Lake

#1 Storm Lake

City in Iowa

Population10,438
Coordinates42.6410900, -95.2097200
Altitude433
CountryUnited States
Mason City

#2 Mason City

City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Population26,931
Coordinates43.1535700, -93.2010400
Altitude344
CountryUnited States
Start: Grand Avenue (-95.209917, 42.641092)
End: 2nd Street Northeast (-93.201041, 43.153613)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 250 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.48 gal
20.74 L · about $20.67
Round trip
$41.33
10.96 gal · 41.48 L
Estimated CO2
48.7 kg one way
Round trip: 97.4 kg / 215 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.67 $41.33
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.31 $46.61
Premium $4.65 $25.50 $51.01
Diesel $5.30 $29.07 $58.13

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Storm Lake and Mason City. The current time is 21:54:01.

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.