How far is Box Elder, SD from Rapid Valley, SD?

The driving distance from Box Elder, SD to Rapid Valley, SD is about 8 miles (12.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 5.2 miles (8.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
8 mi
00h 14m
Flight
5.19 mi
8.35 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Box Elder.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
5.19 mi
Kilometers
8.35 km
Flight Time

Driving Distance

Road route
8 mi
Kilometers
12.87 km
Drive Time
00h 14m

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 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rapid Valley
Thu, Apr 23, 12:49 AM MDT
Return by in Box Elder
Thu, Apr 23, 1:04 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Box Elder
2026-04-23T00:34
Arrive Rapid Valley
Thu, Apr 23, 12:49 AM MDT
Route Timing
00h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:15 AM to 7:15 PM MDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
8:00 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Box Elder
10:00 PM MDT
Flexible departure

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
Ashland Heights
SD

Township in Pennington County, South Dakota

From Box Elder
4 mi
00h 07m
To Rapid Valley
4 mi
00h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Thursday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
17 to 36 mph W
Destination
56°F
Thursday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
17 to 37 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Box Elder and Rapid Valley.

  1. 1

    Start on Front Street

    652 ft · 31 sec · Front Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto South Ellsworth Road

    560 ft · 21 sec · South Ellsworth Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Highway 1416

    2 mi · 3 min · Highway 1416

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight

    1.2 km · 2 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 16 Truck, ND 79 South: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse

    1470 ft · 36 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    869 ft · 23 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on North Elk Vale Road

    2.3 mi · 3 min · North Elk Vale Road

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Concourse Drive

    1148 ft · 38 sec · Concourse Drive

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Twilight Drive

    2441 ft · 1 min · Twilight Drive

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Peanut Lane

    703 ft · 33 sec · Peanut Lane

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Sweetbriar Street

    1311 ft · 58 sec · Sweetbriar Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Sweetbriar Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
13 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
162.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Highway 1416
3.97 mi · 50%
North Elk Vale Road
2.29 mi · 29%
Twilight Drive
0.46 mi · 6%
US 16 Truck
0.44 mi · 6%
Sweetbriar Street
0.25 mi · 3%
Concourse Drive
0.22 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

North Elk Vale Road

Continue on North Elk Vale Road

2.29 mi · 00h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 14m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.8 mi
5.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashland Heights
00h 07m from Box Elder
Leave By
8:00 PM MDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Light Rain Likely leaving Box Elder and Rain Showers Likely near Rapid Valley.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Box Elder to Rapid Valley?

The road trip is about 8 miles (12.9 km) and usually takes 00h 14m 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?

Ashland Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 4 miles from Box Elder and 4 miles from Rapid Valley.

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

The direct path is about 5.2 miles (8.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.8 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 $1.06 one way or $2.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Box Elder and Rain Showers Likely near Rapid Valley.

Stop Ideas Near Ashland Heights

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Ashland Heights and the surrounding midpoint area.
Willow Park
Scenic stop 3.9 mi away

Willow Park

Rapid City , SD
155 Monroe St, Rapid City, SD 57701
Rating 4.1/5 35 reviews Park,Playground
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 4.3 mi away

Box Elder City Hall

Box Elder , SD
420 Villa Dr, Box Elder, SD 57719
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 4.3 mi away

Box Elder Water Department

Box Elder , SD
420 Villa Dr, Box Elder, SD 57719
Rating 2.3/5 3 reviews Water utility company

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ashland Heights.

Transit stop coverage is not ready for this midpoint yet.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Box Elder and Rapid Valley. Straight-line distance: 5.19 mi (8.35 km).

Box Elder

#1 Box Elder

City in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States

Population7,165
Coordinates44.1124900, -103.0682300
Altitude925
CountryUnited States
Rapid Valley

#2 Rapid Valley

Census-designated place in Pennington County, South Dakota

Population8,260
Coordinates44.0624900, -103.1462900
Altitude962
CountryUnited States
Start: Box Elder (-103.06823, 44.11249)
End: Rapid Valley (-103.14629, 44.06249)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 13 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.28 gal
1.07 L · about $1.06
Round trip
$2.11
0.56 gal · 2.14 L
Estimated CO2
2.5 kg one way
Round trip: 5 kg / 11 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $1.06 $2.11
Mid-grade $4.25 $1.19 $2.38
Premium $4.65 $1.30 $2.61
Diesel $5.30 $1.49 $2.97

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

There is no time difference between Box Elder and Rapid Valley. The current time is 00:34:55.

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.