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

The driving distance from Box Elder, SD to Yankton, SD is about 347.5 miles (559.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 296.8 miles (477.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 59m 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
347.48 mi
04h 59m
Flight
296.84 mi
477.72 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
296.84 mi
Kilometers
477.72 km
Flight Time
00h 35m

Driving Distance

Road route
347.48 mi
Kilometers
559.21 km
Drive Time
04h 59m

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 04h 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Yankton
Thu, Apr 23, 3:30 AM CDT
Return by in Box Elder
Thu, Apr 23, 7:29 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Box Elder
2026-04-22T21:30
Arrive Yankton
Thu, Apr 23, 2:30 AM MDT
Route Timing
04h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
12:00 PM to 2:00 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
7:00 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
Reliance
SD

Town in Lyman County, South Dakota, United States

From Box Elder
177.3 mi
02h 29m
To Yankton
170.2 mi
02h 29m

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
87°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    296.3 mi · 4 hr 38 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 81: Salem, Yankton

    1983 ft · 50 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto US Highway 81

    35.8 mi · 41 min · US Highway 81

  9. 9

    Continue on 291st Street

    1.3 km · 55 sec · 291st Street

  10. 10

    Continue on US Highway 81

    15.6 mi · 18 min · US Highway 81

  11. 11

    Continue on Broadway Avenue

    4.6 mi · 5 min · Broadway Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    15 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
13 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
3.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Liberty Boulevard
297 mi · 85%
US Highway 81
51.5 mi · 15%
Broadway Avenue
4.6 mi · 1%
Highway 1416
0.87 mi
291st Street
0.81 mi
US 81
0.38 mi
Longest Stretch

Liberty Boulevard

Merge slight left

296 mi · 04h 38m

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
04h 59m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+50.7 mi
296.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Reliance
02h 29m from Box Elder
Leave By
7:00 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 347.5 miles (559.2 km) and usually takes 04h 59m 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?

Reliance is a useful midpoint, sitting about 177.3 miles from Box Elder and 170.2 miles from Yankton.

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

The direct path is about 296.8 miles (477.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.23 one way or $92.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109 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 Yankton, 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 Sunny near Yankton.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Box Elder and Yankton. Straight-line distance: 296.84 mi (477.72 km).

Box Elder

#1 Box Elder

City in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States

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

#2 Yankton

County seat of Yankton County, South Dakota, United States

Population14,651
Coordinates42.8711100, -97.3972800
Altitude368
CountryUnited States
Start: Front Street (-103.068237, 44.112405)
End: West 4th Street (-97.397278, 42.871173)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 559 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.26 gal
46.41 L · about $46.23
Round trip
$92.46
24.52 gal · 92.82 L
Estimated CO2
109 kg one way
Round trip: 217.9 kg / 480 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $46.23 $92.46
Mid-grade $4.25 $52.14 $104.28
Premium $4.65 $57.06 $114.12
Diesel $5.30 $65.03 $130.05

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

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Box Elder, SD and Yankton, SD. The current time in Box Elder is 21:30:27, although it is 22:30:27 in Yankton.

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.