How far is Box Elder, SD from Rapid City, SD?
The driving distance from Box Elder, SD to Rapid City, SD is about 11.1 miles (17.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 8.4 miles (13.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 15m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Census-designated place in Pennington County, South Dakota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Box Elder and Rapid City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Box Elder and Rapid City.
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1
Start on Front Street
652 ft · 31 sec · Front Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Ellsworth Road
560 ft · 21 sec · South Ellsworth Road
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3
Turn left onto Highway 1416
2 mi · 3 min · Highway 1416
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4
Take the ramp straight
1.2 km · 2 min
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5
Merge slight left
5.8 mi · 7 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 190, US 16: Downtown, Black Hawk National Forest, Mount Rushmore
2265 ft · 1 min
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7
Continue straight
1.4 mi · 2 min
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8
Turn left onto Omaha Street
1148 ft · 39 sec · Omaha Street
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9
Turn right onto Mount Rushmore Road
1223 ft · 46 sec · Mount Rushmore Road
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mount Rushmore Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Box Elder and Rapid City.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Highway 1416
Merge slight left
5.76 mi · 00h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Box Elder and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rapid City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Box Elder to Rapid City?
The road trip is about 11.1 miles (17.8 km) and usually takes 00h 15m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rapid Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 5.5 miles from Box Elder and 5.5 miles from Rapid City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 8.4 miles (13.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:00 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.47 one way or $2.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Box Elder and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rapid City.
Stop Ideas Near Rapid Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Willow Park
Box Elder City Hall
Box Elder Water Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rapid Valley.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Box Elder and Rapid City. Straight-line distance: 8.38 mi (13.48 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 Rapid City
The second most populous city in South Dakota.
| Population | 77,503 |
| Coordinates | 44.0805400, -103.2310100 |
| Altitude | 988 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mount Rushmore Road (-103.231059, 44.080547)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 18 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $1.47 | $2.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $1.66 | $3.32 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $1.82 | $3.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.07 | $4.14 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.