How far is Custer, SD from Spearfish, SD?

The driving distance from Custer, SD to Spearfish, SD is about 71.2 miles (114.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.7 miles (83.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 59m 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
71.23 mi
01h 29m
Flight
51.68 mi
83.17 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Custer.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.68 mi
Kilometers
83.17 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
71.23 mi
Kilometers
114.64 km
Drive Time
01h 29m

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 01h 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Spearfish
Wed, Apr 22, 6:49 PM MDT
Return by in Custer
Wed, Apr 22, 8:18 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Custer
2026-04-22T17:19
Arrive Spearfish
Wed, Apr 22, 6:49 PM MDT
Route Timing
01h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM MDT

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

Leave by
3:30 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Custer
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 Custer
35.6 mi
00h 44m
To Spearfish
35.7 mi
00h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 16 mph SW
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 Custer and Spearfish.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Custer and Spearfish.

  1. 1

    Start on Mount Rushmore Road

    128 m · 19 sec · Mount Rushmore Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North 5th Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · North 5th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on US Highway 16/385

    6 mi · 8 min · US Highway 16/385

  4. 4

    Continue on Highway 385

    6.1 mi · 8 min · Highway 385

  5. 5

    Continue on Main Street

    1315 ft · 32 sec · Main Street

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Railroad Avenue

    2982 ft · 1 min · Railroad Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    2914 ft · 1 min · East Main Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Highway 385

    3 mi · 5 min · Highway 385

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Highway 385

    16.8 mi · 25 min · Highway 385

  10. 10

    Continue on US Highway 385

    19.8 mi · 29 min · US Highway 385

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Cliff Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Cliff Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Charles Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · Charles Street

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Pioneer Way

    1784 ft · 25 sec · Pioneer Way

  14. 14

    Continue on Main Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · Main Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto US Highway 85

    7.5 mi · 9 min · US Highway 85

  16. 16

    Turn left onto I 90 West, US 14 West, US 85 North

    5.5 mi · 6 min

  17. 17

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

    1541 ft · 43 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto East Jackson Boulevard

    1 km · 2 min · East Jackson Boulevard

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    45 m · 14 sec · North Main Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Custer 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
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Highway 385
25.9 mi · 36%
US Highway 385
19.8 mi · 28%
US Highway 85
7.5 mi · 11%
US Highway 16/385
5.96 mi · 8%
I 90 West
5.48 mi · 8%
Cliff Street
1.12 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 385

Continue on US Highway 385

19.8 mi · 00h 29m

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
01h 29m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.5 mi
51.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Piedmont
00h 44m from Custer
Leave By
3:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Custer 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 Custer to Spearfish?

The road trip is about 71.2 miles (114.6 km) and usually takes 01h 29m 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 35.6 miles from Custer and 35.7 miles from Spearfish.

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

The direct path is about 51.7 miles (83.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:30 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.47 one way or $18.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Custer and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Spearfish.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Custer and Spearfish. Straight-line distance: 51.68 mi (83.17 km).

Custer

#1 Custer

City in and county seat of Custer County, South Dakota, United States

Population1,926
Coordinates43.7666500, -103.5988100
Altitude1620
CountryUnited States
Spearfish

#2 Spearfish

City in Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States

Population11,900
Coordinates44.4908200, -103.8593700
Altitude1112
CountryUnited States
Start: Mount Rushmore Road (-103.598796, 43.766624)
End: North Main Street (-103.859247, 44.49086)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 115 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.51 gal
9.52 L · about $9.47
Round trip
$18.93
5.02 gal · 19.04 L
Estimated CO2
22.3 kg one way
Round trip: 44.6 kg / 98 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.47 $18.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.68 $21.35
Premium $4.65 $11.68 $23.36
Diesel $5.30 $13.31 $26.63

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

There is no time difference between Custer and Spearfish. The current time is 17:19:45.

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.