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

The driving distance from Box Elder, SD to Mitchell, SD is about 266.6 miles (429 km), with a travel time of about 03h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 252.3 miles (406 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 18m 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
266.59 mi
03h 39m
Flight
252.3 mi
406.03 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
252.3 mi
Kilometers
406.03 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
266.59 mi
Kilometers
429.04 km
Drive Time
03h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mitchell
Wed, Apr 15, 10:33 AM CDT
Return by in Box Elder
Wed, Apr 15, 1:13 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Box Elder
2026-04-15T05:54
Arrive Mitchell
Wed, Apr 15, 9:33 AM MDT
Route Timing
03h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:39 AM to 12:39 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
9:42 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

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
Draper
SD

Town in South Dakota, United States of America

From Box Elder
133.2 mi
01h 49m
To Mitchell
133.5 mi
01h 49m

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
75°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    262.7 mi · 4 hr 6 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right

    1927 ft · 53 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto South Ohlman Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · South Ohlman Street

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    92 m · 8 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto West Havens Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · West Havens Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto South Sanborn Boulevard

    2659 ft · 1 min · South Sanborn Boulevard

  12. 12

    Turn left onto West 1st Avenue

    10 m · 1 sec · West 1st Avenue

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
13 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Liberty Boulevard
264 mi · 99%
Highway 1416
0.87 mi
South Ohlman Street
0.84 mi
West Havens Avenue
0.83 mi
South Sanborn Boulevard
0.5 mi
Oak Street
0.07 mi
Longest Stretch

Liberty Boulevard

Merge slight left

263 mi · 04h 06m

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 39m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.3 mi
252.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Draper
01h 49m from Box Elder
Leave By
9:42 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 266.6 miles (429 km) and usually takes 03h 39m 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?

Draper is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133.2 miles from Box Elder and 133.5 miles from Mitchell.

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

The direct path is about 252.3 miles (406 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.3 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 9:42 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.49 one way or $70.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.6 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 Mitchell, 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 Mostly Sunny near Mitchell.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Box Elder and Mitchell. Straight-line distance: 252.3 mi (406.03 km).

Box Elder

#1 Box Elder

City in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States

Population7,165
Coordinates44.1124900, -103.0682300
Altitude925
CountryUnited States
Mitchell

#2 Mitchell

City in and county seat of Davison County, South Dakota, United States

Population15,697
Coordinates43.7094300, -98.0298000
Altitude400
CountryUnited States
Start: Front Street (-103.068237, 44.112405)
End: West 1st Avenue (-98.0298, 43.709412)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 429 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.41 gal
35.61 L · about $35.49
Round trip
$70.97
18.82 gal · 71.22 L
Estimated CO2
83.6 kg one way
Round trip: 167.3 kg / 369 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $35.49 $70.97
Mid-grade $4.25 $40.02 $80.04
Premium $4.65 $43.79 $87.59
Diesel $5.30 $49.91 $99.82

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 Mitchell, SD. The current time in Box Elder is 05:54:31, although it is 06:54:31 in Mitchell.

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.