How far is Custer, SD from Yankton, SD?
The driving distance from Custer, SD to Yankton, SD is about 398.3 miles (641 km), with a travel time of about 06h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 317.8 miles (511.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 17m 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 08m.
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.
Census-designated place in 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
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Custer and Yankton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Custer and Yankton.
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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
301.6 mi · 4 hr 44 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 81: Salem, Yankton
1983 ft · 50 sec
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17
Turn right onto US Highway 81
35.8 mi · 41 min · US Highway 81
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18
Continue on 291st Street
1.3 km · 55 sec · 291st Street
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19
Continue on US Highway 81
15.6 mi · 18 min · US Highway 81
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20
Continue on Broadway Avenue
4.6 mi · 5 min · Broadway Avenue
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21
Turn right onto West 4th Street
15 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Custer and Yankton.
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
302 mi · 04h 44m
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 Sunny near Yankton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Custer to Yankton?
The road trip is about 398.3 miles (641 km) and usually takes 06h 08m 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?
Vivian is a useful midpoint, sitting about 201.9 miles from Custer and 196.4 miles from Yankton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 317.8 miles (511.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 80.5 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 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 $52.98 one way or $105.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 124.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Custer 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 Custer and Sunny near Yankton.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Custer and Yankton. Straight-line distance: 317.74 mi (511.36 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 Yankton
County seat of Yankton County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 14,651 |
| Coordinates | 42.8711100, -97.3972800 |
| Altitude | 368 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 4th Street (-97.397278, 42.871173)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 641 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 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 | $52.98 | $105.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $59.75 | $119.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $65.39 | $130.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $74.52 | $149.04 |
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.