How far is Box Elder, SD from Jefferson, SD?
The driving distance from Box Elder, SD to Jefferson, SD is about 406.2 miles (653.7 km), with a travel time of about 06h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 343.1 miles (552.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT.
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 06h 27m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Township in Brule County, South Dakota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Box Elder and Jefferson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Box Elder and Jefferson.
-
1
Start on Front Street
29 m · 10 sec · Front Street
-
2
Turn left onto Oak Street
111 m · 18 sec · Oak Street
-
3
Turn right onto Highway 1416
1.4 km · 2 min · Highway 1416
-
4
Turn left onto Liberty Boulevard
1194 ft · 26 sec · Liberty Boulevard
-
5
Take the ramp right
2522 ft · 1 min
-
6
Merge slight left
328.8 mi · 5 hr 9 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right
2349 ft · 57 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
74.1 mi · 1 hr 12 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson
791 ft · 22 sec
-
10
Turn left onto 330th Street
122 m · 8 sec · 330th Street
-
11
Continue on West Dakota Street
1.2 km · 1 min · West Dakota Street
-
12
Turn right onto Main Street
1163 ft · 25 sec · Main Street
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13
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
17 m · 2 sec · South 3rd Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Box Elder and Jefferson.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Liberty Boulevard
Merge slight left
329 mi · 05h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Box Elder and Sunny near Jefferson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Box Elder to Jefferson?
The road trip is about 406.2 miles (653.7 km) and usually takes 06h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pukwana is a useful midpoint, sitting about 202.8 miles from Box Elder and 203.5 miles from Jefferson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 343.1 miles (552.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.1 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $54.04 one way or $108.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 127.4 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 Jefferson, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Box Elder and Sunny near Jefferson.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Box Elder and Jefferson. Straight-line distance: 343.12 mi (552.2 km).
#1 Box Elder
City in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 7,165 |
| Coordinates | 44.1124900, -103.0682300 |
| Altitude | 925 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Jefferson
City in South Dakota, United States
| Population | 1,159 |
| Coordinates | 42.6025000, -96.5592000 |
| Altitude | 340 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jefferson (-96.5592, 42.6025)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 654 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $54.04 | $108.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $60.95 | $121.89 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $66.69 | $133.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $76.01 | $152.01 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.