How far is Custer, SD from Pierre, SD?
The driving distance from Custer, SD to Pierre, SD is about 211.8 miles (340.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 166.5 miles (268 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 03m 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 03h 31m.
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.
Town in Jackson 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
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Custer and Pierre.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Custer and Pierre.
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1
Start on Mount Rushmore Road
128 m · 19 sec · Mount Rushmore Road
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2
Turn right onto North 5th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North 5th Street
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3
Continue on US Highway 16/385
6 mi · 8 min · US Highway 16/385
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4
Continue on Highway 385
6.1 mi · 8 min · Highway 385
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5
Continue on Main Street
1315 ft · 32 sec · Main Street
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Railroad Avenue
2982 ft · 1 min · Railroad Avenue
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7
Turn right onto East Main Street
2914 ft · 1 min · East Main Street
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8
Continue on Highway 385
3 mi · 5 min · Highway 385
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9
Continue on South Highway 16
17.7 mi · 22 min · South Highway 16
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10
Continue on Mount Rushmore Road
1 mi · 1 min · Mount Rushmore Road
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11
Take the exit slight right
577 ft · 12 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Catron Boulevard
3.3 mi · 5 min · Catron Boulevard
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13
Continue on Elk Vale Road
5.3 mi · 7 min · Elk Vale Road
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14
Take the exit slight right
2710 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left
150.5 mi · 2 hr 22 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 83 North, SD 53: Fort Pierre, Pierre State Capitol
2190 ft · 1 min
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17
Turn left onto US Highway 83
30.9 mi · 35 min · US Highway 83
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18
Continue on South 1st Street
1.6 km · 1 min · South 1st Street
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19
Continue on North Deadwood Street
1.1 km · 47 sec · North Deadwood Street
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20
Continue on North Highway 83
2590 ft · 33 sec · North Highway 83
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21
Continue on West Sioux Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · West Sioux Avenue
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22
Turn left onto South Pierre Street
1115 ft · 25 sec · South Pierre Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Euclid Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Custer and Pierre.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Elk Vale Road
Merge slight left
150 mi · 02h 22m
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 Custer and Partly Sunny near Pierre.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Custer to Pierre?
The road trip is about 211.8 miles (340.9 km) and usually takes 03h 31m 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?
Interior is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.2 miles from Custer and 96.6 miles from Pierre.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 166.5 miles (268 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.3 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 9:56 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.17 one way or $56.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.4 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Custer and Pierre, 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 Custer and Partly Sunny near Pierre.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Custer and Pierre. Straight-line distance: 166.5 mi (267.95 km).
#1 Custer
City in and county seat of Custer County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 1,926 |
| Coordinates | 43.7666500, -103.5988100 |
| Altitude | 1620 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Pierre
Capital city of South Dakota and county seat of Hughes County
| Population | 13,708 |
| Coordinates | 44.3683200, -100.3509700 |
| Altitude | 451 |
| Country | United States |
End: US 14 (-100.350889, 44.368274)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 341 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.17 | $56.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.77 | $63.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.77 | $69.53 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.62 | $79.24 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.