How far is Custer, SD from Watertown, SD?
The driving distance from Custer, SD to Watertown, SD is about 399.1 miles (642.3 km), with a travel time of about 06h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 329.8 miles (530.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 43m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Lyman 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
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Custer and Watertown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Custer and Watertown.
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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
287.7 mi · 4 hr 31 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward SD 25: Emery, Farmer
1688 ft · 48 sec
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17
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
23.8 mi · 28 min · SD Highway 25
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18
Turn right onto SD Highway 34
6 mi · 7 min · SD Highway 34
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19
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
60 mi · 1 hr 11 min · SD Highway 25
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20
At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 212
3.9 mi · 6 min · US Highway 212
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21
Continue on 4th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 4th Street
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22
Continue on US Highway 212
10.6 mi · 12 min · US Highway 212
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23
Continue on 9th Avenue Southwest
6.4 mi · 9 min · 9th Avenue Southwest
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24
Turn left onto South Broadway
1.1 km · 2 min · South Broadway
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Custer and Watertown.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Elk Vale Road
Merge slight left
288 mi · 04h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Custer and Mostly Sunny near Watertown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Custer to Watertown?
The road trip is about 399.1 miles (642.3 km) and usually takes 06h 43m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kennebec is a useful midpoint, sitting about 222.7 miles from Custer and 176.3 miles from Watertown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 329.8 miles (530.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 69.3 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.10 one way or $106.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 125.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Custer 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 Custer and Mostly Sunny near Watertown.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Custer and Watertown. Straight-line distance: 329.76 mi (530.69 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 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: 642 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $53.10 | $106.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $59.88 | $119.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $65.53 | $131.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $74.68 | $149.36 |
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.