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

The driving distance from Box Elder, SD to Wagner, SD is about 293.2 miles (471.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 249.3 miles (401.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 01m 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
293.2 mi
05h 00m
Flight
249.33 mi
401.25 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
249.33 mi
Kilometers
401.25 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
293.2 mi
Kilometers
471.86 km
Drive Time
05h 00m

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 05h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wagner
Thu, Apr 16, 5:57 AM CDT
Return by in Box Elder
Thu, Apr 16, 9:57 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Box Elder
2026-04-15T23:56
Arrive Wagner
Thu, Apr 16, 4:57 AM MDT
Route Timing
05h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
12:01 PM to 2:01 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
6:58 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
Vivian
SD

Census-designated place in Lyman County, South Dakota, United States

From Box Elder
146.3 mi
02h 30m
To Wagner
146.9 mi
02h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 8:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph S
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    242.8 mi · 3 hr 48 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 281: Stickney, Aberdeen

    1779 ft · 45 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto US Highway 281

    18.7 mi · 24 min · US Highway 281

  9. 9

    Continue on North Highway 281

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Highway 281

  10. 10

    Continue on US Highway 281

    2.3 mi · 3 min · US Highway 281

  11. 11

    Continue on US Highway 281

    3 mi · 4 min · US Highway 281

  12. 12

    Continue on US Highway 281

    4 mi · 6 min · US Highway 281

  13. 13

    Continue on Braddock Avenue

    1 mi · 1 min · Braddock Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on US Highway 281

    11.9 mi · 18 min · US Highway 281

  15. 15

    Continue on SD Highway 50

    2.5 mi · 4 min · SD Highway 50

  16. 16

    Continue on 392nd Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · 392nd Avenue

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn left onto SD Highway 46

    2.7 mi · 4 min · SD Highway 46

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Main Avenue South

    653 ft · 23 sec · Main Avenue South

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 2nd Street Southeast

    31 m · 4 sec · 2nd Street Southeast

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Southeast

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Liberty Boulevard
244 mi · 83%
US Highway 281
39.8 mi · 14%
SD Highway 46
2.75 mi · 1%
SD Highway 50
2.51 mi · 1%
392nd Avenue
1.51 mi · 1%
Braddock Avenue
1 mi
Longest Stretch

Liberty Boulevard

Merge slight left

243 mi · 03h 48m

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
05h 00m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.9 mi
249.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Vivian
02h 30m from Box Elder
Leave By
6:58 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Box Elder and Sunny near Wagner.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 293.2 miles (471.9 km) and usually takes 05h 00m 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?

Vivian is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.3 miles from Box Elder and 146.9 miles from Wagner.

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

The direct path is about 249.3 miles (401.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:58 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.99 one way or $77.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.9 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 Wagner, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Box Elder and Sunny near Wagner.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Box Elder and Wagner. Straight-line distance: 249.33 mi (401.25 km).

Box Elder

#1 Box Elder

City in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States

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

#2 Wagner

City in Charles Mix County, South Dakota, United States

Population1,537
Coordinates43.0797200, -98.2931300
Altitude441
CountryUnited States
Start: Box Elder (-103.06823, 44.11249)
End: Wagner (-98.29313, 43.07972)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 472 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.34 gal
39.16 L · about $38.99
Round trip
$77.98
20.68 gal · 78.32 L
Estimated CO2
91.9 kg one way
Round trip: 183.8 kg / 405 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $38.99 $77.98
Mid-grade $4.25 $43.98 $87.95
Premium $4.65 $48.12 $96.24
Diesel $5.30 $54.84 $109.69

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 16, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Box Elder, SD and Wagner, SD. The current time in Box Elder is 23:56:22, although it is 00:56:22 in Wagner.

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.