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

The driving distance from Box Elder, SD to Pierre, SD is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 135.6 miles (218.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
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
162.49 mi
02h 36m
Flight
135.65 mi
218.31 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Box Elder.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
135.65 mi
Kilometers
218.31 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
162.49 mi
Kilometers
261.5 km
Drive Time
02h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pierre
Thu, Apr 23, 2:37 AM CDT
Return by in Box Elder
Thu, Apr 23, 4:14 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Box Elder
2026-04-22T23:01
Arrive Pierre
Thu, Apr 23, 1:37 AM MDT
Route Timing
02h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:37 AM to 1:37 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:16 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Box Elder
9:30 PM MDT
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
Kadoka
SD

City in and county sear of in Jackson County, South Dakota, United States of America

From Box Elder
90.5 mi
01h 18m
To Pierre
72 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
9 to 22 mph S
Destination
66°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 37 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    145.2 mi · 2 hr 16 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 83 North, SD 53: Fort Pierre, Pierre State Capitol

    2190 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto US Highway 83

    30.9 mi · 35 min · US Highway 83

  9. 9

    Continue on South 1st Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · South 1st Street

  10. 10

    Continue on North Deadwood Street

    1.1 km · 47 sec · North Deadwood Street

  11. 11

    Continue on North Highway 83

    2590 ft · 33 sec · North Highway 83

  12. 12

    Continue on West Sioux Avenue

    1.5 km · 1 min · West Sioux Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto South Pierre Street

    1115 ft · 25 sec · South Pierre Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Euclid Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Liberty Boulevard
146 mi · 90%
US Highway 83
30.9 mi · 19%
South 1st Street
0.99 mi · 1%
West Sioux Avenue
0.92 mi · 1%
Highway 1416
0.87 mi · 1%
North Deadwood Street
0.66 mi
Longest Stretch

Liberty Boulevard

Merge slight left

145 mi · 02h 16m

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 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.9 mi
135.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kadoka
01h 18m from Box Elder
Leave By
1:16 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Box Elder and Chance Rain Showers near Pierre.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?

Kadoka is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.5 miles from Box Elder and 72 miles from Pierre.

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

The direct path is about 135.6 miles (218.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.9 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 MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:16 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.61 one way or $43.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.9 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 Pierre, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Box Elder and Chance Rain Showers near Pierre.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Box Elder and Pierre. Straight-line distance: 135.65 mi (218.31 km).

Box Elder

#1 Box Elder

City in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States

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

#2 Pierre

Capital city of South Dakota and county seat of Hughes County

Population13,708
Coordinates44.3683200, -100.3509700
Altitude451
CountryUnited States
Start: Front Street (-103.068237, 44.112405)
End: US 14 (-100.350889, 44.368274)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 262 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.73 gal
21.7 L · about $21.61
Round trip
$43.22
11.46 gal · 43.4 L
Estimated CO2
50.9 kg one way
Round trip: 101.8 kg / 224 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.61 $43.22
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.37 $48.74
Premium $4.65 $26.67 $53.33
Diesel $5.30 $30.39 $60.78

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 23, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Box Elder, SD and Pierre, SD. The current time in Box Elder is 23:01:14, although it is 00:01:14 in Pierre.

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.