How far is Box Elder, SD from Freeman, SD?

The driving distance from Box Elder, SD to Freeman, SD is about 322.2 miles (518.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 286 miles (460.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
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
322.16 mi
05h 11m
Flight
285.92 mi
460.15 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Box Elder.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
285.92 mi
Kilometers
460.15 km
Flight Time
00h 34m

Driving Distance

Road route
322.16 mi
Kilometers
518.46 km
Drive Time
05h 11m

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 05h 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Freeman
Wed, Apr 15, 2:01 PM CDT
Return by in Box Elder
Wed, Apr 15, 6:12 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Box Elder
2026-04-15T07:50
Arrive Freeman
Wed, Apr 15, 1:01 PM MDT
Route Timing
05h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
12:11 PM to 2:11 PM CDT

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

Leave by
6:38 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Box Elder
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Presho
SD

Human settlement in Lyman County, South Dakota, United States of America

From Box Elder
160.7 mi
02h 35m
To Freeman
161.4 mi
02h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 14 mph NW
Destination
72°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Box Elder and Freeman.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Box Elder and Freeman.

  1. 1

    Start on Front Street

    29 m · 10 sec · Front Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Oak Street

    111 m · 18 sec · Oak Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Highway 1416

    1.4 km · 2 min · Highway 1416

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Liberty Boulevard

    1194 ft · 26 sec · Liberty Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right

    2522 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    296.3 mi · 4 hr 38 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 81: Salem, Yankton

    1983 ft · 50 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto US Highway 81

    22.6 mi · 26 min · US Highway 81

  9. 9

    Turn right onto East North County Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · East North County Road

  10. 10

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1758 ft · 54 sec · North Main Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto East 3rd Street

    9 m · 1 sec · East 3rd Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Box Elder and Freeman.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
12 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
3.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Liberty Boulevard
297 mi · 92%
US Highway 81
22.6 mi · 7%
Highway 1416
0.87 mi
East North County Road
0.86 mi
US 81
0.38 mi
North Main Street
0.33 mi
Longest Stretch

Liberty Boulevard

Merge slight left

296 mi · 04h 38m

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
05h 11m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.2 mi
286 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Presho
02h 35m from Box Elder
Leave By
6:38 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Box Elder and Chance Rain Showers near Freeman.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Box Elder to Freeman?

The road trip is about 322.2 miles (518.5 km) and usually takes 05h 11m 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?

Presho is a useful midpoint, sitting about 160.7 miles from Box Elder and 161.4 miles from Freeman.

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

The direct path is about 286 miles (460.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.2 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 MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:38 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.88 one way or $85.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Box Elder and Freeman, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Box Elder and Chance Rain Showers near Freeman.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Box Elder and Freeman. Straight-line distance: 285.92 mi (460.15 km).

Box Elder

#1 Box Elder

City in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States

Population7,165
Coordinates44.1124900, -103.0682300
Altitude925
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Freeman

City in South Dakota, United States of America

Population1,255
Coordinates43.3524900, -97.4372900
Altitude461
CountryUnited States
Start: Box Elder (-103.06823, 44.11249)
End: Freeman (-97.43729, 43.35249)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 518 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.37 gal
43.03 L · about $42.88
Round trip
$85.75
22.74 gal · 86.06 L
Estimated CO2
101 kg one way
Round trip: 202.1 kg / 446 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $42.88 $85.75
Mid-grade $4.25 $48.36 $96.71
Premium $4.65 $52.92 $105.83
Diesel $5.30 $60.31 $120.61

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 South Dakota · Apr 15, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Box Elder, SD and Freeman, SD. The current time in Box Elder is 07:50:36, although it is 08:50:36 in Freeman.

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.