How far is Box Elder, SD from Watertown, SD?
The driving distance from Box Elder, SD to Watertown, SD is about 352.8 miles (567.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 298.3 miles (480 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 49m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in and county seat of Brule County, South Dakota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Box Elder and Watertown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Box Elder and Watertown.
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1
Start on Front Street
29 m · 10 sec · Front Street
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2
Turn left onto Oak Street
111 m · 18 sec · Oak Street
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3
Turn right onto Highway 1416
1.4 km · 2 min · Highway 1416
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4
Turn left onto Liberty Boulevard
1194 ft · 26 sec · Liberty Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp right
2522 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left
282.4 mi · 4 hr 25 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward SD 25: Emery, Farmer
1688 ft · 48 sec
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8
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
23.8 mi · 28 min · SD Highway 25
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9
Turn right onto SD Highway 34
6 mi · 7 min · SD Highway 34
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10
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
60 mi · 1 hr 11 min · SD Highway 25
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11
At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 212
3.9 mi · 6 min · US Highway 212
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12
Continue on 4th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 4th Street
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13
Continue on US Highway 212
10.6 mi · 12 min · US Highway 212
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14
Continue on 9th Avenue Southwest
6.4 mi · 9 min · 9th Avenue Southwest
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15
Turn left onto South Broadway
1.1 km · 2 min · South Broadway
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Box Elder and Watertown.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Liberty Boulevard
Merge slight left
282 mi · 04h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Box Elder and Chance Rain Showers near Watertown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Box Elder to Watertown?
The road trip is about 352.8 miles (567.7 km) and usually takes 05h 49m 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?
Chamberlain is a useful midpoint, sitting about 198.1 miles from Box Elder and 154.7 miles from Watertown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 298.3 miles (480 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.5 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 5:20 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.95 one way or $93.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 110.6 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 Watertown, 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 Watertown.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Box Elder and Watertown. Straight-line distance: 298.27 mi (480.02 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 Watertown
City in and county seat of Codington County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 22,303 |
| Coordinates | 44.8994100, -97.1150700 |
| Altitude | 528 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Broadway (-97.115008, 44.899398)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 568 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $46.95 | $93.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $52.95 | $105.90 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $57.94 | $115.88 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $66.03 | $132.07 |
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.