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

The driving distance from Box Elder, SD to Spearfish, SD is about 54.8 miles (88.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 47 miles (75.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 40m 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
54.84 mi
00h 50m
Flight
47.05 mi
75.72 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
47.05 mi
Kilometers
75.72 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
54.84 mi
Kilometers
88.25 km
Drive Time
00h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Spearfish
Wed, Apr 22, 10:16 PM MDT
Return by in Box Elder
Wed, Apr 22, 11:06 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Box Elder
2026-04-22T21:25
Arrive Spearfish
Wed, Apr 22, 10:16 PM MDT
Route Timing
00h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:50 AM to 10:50 AM MDT

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

Leave by
4:50 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
Piedmont
SD

City in Meade County, South Dakota, United States of America

From Box Elder
27.4 mi
00h 25m
To Spearfish
27.5 mi
00h 25m

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
79°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
9 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    50.9 mi · 52 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Jackson Boulevard, Black Hills State University

    1541 ft · 43 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto East Jackson Boulevard

    1 km · 2 min · East Jackson Boulevard

  8. 8

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    45 m · 14 sec · North Main Street

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
9 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Highway 1416
53.7 mi · 98%
East Jackson Boulevard
0.63 mi · 1%
Jackson Boulevard
0.29 mi · 1%
Front Street
0.12 mi
South Ellsworth Road
0.11 mi
North Main Street
0.03 mi
Longest Stretch

Highway 1416

Merge slight left

50.9 mi · 00h 52m

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
00h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.8 mi
47 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Piedmont
00h 25m from Box Elder
Leave By
4:50 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 54.8 miles (88.2 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?

Piedmont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.4 miles from Box Elder and 27.5 miles from Spearfish.

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

The direct path is about 47 miles (75.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:50 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.28 one way or $14.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.2 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 Spearfish.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Box Elder and Spearfish. Straight-line distance: 47.05 mi (75.72 km).

Box Elder

#1 Box Elder

City in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States

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

#2 Spearfish

City in Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States

Population11,900
Coordinates44.4908200, -103.8593700
Altitude1112
CountryUnited States
Start: Front Street (-103.068237, 44.112405)
End: North Main Street (-103.859247, 44.49086)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 88 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.93 gal
7.32 L · about $7.28
Round trip
$14.56
3.86 gal · 14.64 L
Estimated CO2
17.2 kg one way
Round trip: 34.3 kg / 76 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.28 $14.56
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.21 $16.42
Premium $4.65 $8.98 $17.96
Diesel $5.30 $10.24 $20.47

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 Spearfish. The current time is 21:25:52.

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.