How far is Dakota Dunes, SD from Box Elder, SD?

The driving distance from Dakota Dunes, SD to Box Elder, SD is about 416.4 miles (670.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 349.4 miles (562.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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
416.46 mi
05h 51m
Flight
349.37 mi
562.25 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Dakota Dunes.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
349.37 mi
Kilometers
562.25 km
Flight Time
00h 42m

Driving Distance

Road route
416.46 mi
Kilometers
670.22 km
Drive Time
05h 51m

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 05h 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Box Elder
Thu, Apr 23, 2:51 AM MDT
Return by in Dakota Dunes
Thu, Apr 23, 9:43 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dakota Dunes
2026-04-22T22:00
Arrive Box Elder
Thu, Apr 23, 3:51 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:51 AM to 12:51 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:18 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Dakota Dunes
9:00 PM CDT
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
Pukwana
SD

Township in Brule County, South Dakota

From Dakota Dunes
207.9 mi
02h 55m
To Box Elder
208.5 mi
02h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Wednesday

Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dakota Dunes and Box Elder.

  1. 1

    Start on Glen Eagle Court

    105 m · 18 sec · Glen Eagle Court

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North Royal Troon

    749 ft · 37 sec · North Royal Troon

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Pebble Beach Drive

    130 m · 23 sec · Pebble Beach Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East Sawgrass Trail

    2280 ft · 2 min · East Sawgrass Trail

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Dakota Dunes Boulevard

    82 m · 8 sec · Dakota Dunes Boulevard

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto Dakota Dunes Boulevard

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Dakota Dunes Boulevard

  7. 7

    Take the ramp sharp left toward I 29 North

    1189 ft · 29 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    83 mi · 1 hr 21 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90 West: Rapid City

    1236 ft · 30 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    329.1 mi · 5 hr 9 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Box Elder, Elisworth AirForce Base

    1962 ft · 48 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    28 m · 7 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Liberty Boulevard

    2562 ft · 52 sec · Liberty Boulevard

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Highway 1416

    1.5 km · 2 min · Highway 1416

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Oak Street

    671 ft · 32 sec · Oak Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Front Street

    29 m · 4 sec · Front Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Front Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90 West
330 mi · 79%
I 29 North
83.2 mi · 20%
Dakota Dunes Boulevard
1.36 mi
Highway 1416
0.9 mi
Liberty Boulevard
0.49 mi
East Sawgrass Trail
0.43 mi
Longest Stretch

I 90 West

Merge slight left

329 mi · 05h 09m

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
05h 51m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+67 mi
349.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pukwana
02h 55m from Dakota Dunes
Leave By
5:18 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Dakota Dunes to Box Elder?

The road trip is about 416.4 miles (670.2 km) and usually takes 05h 51m 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?

Pukwana is a useful midpoint, sitting about 207.9 miles from Dakota Dunes and 208.5 miles from Box Elder.

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

The direct path is about 349.4 miles (562.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 67 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:18 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $55.43 one way or $110.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 130.6 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Dakota Dunes and Box Elder, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dakota Dunes and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Box Elder.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dakota Dunes and Box Elder. Straight-line distance: 349.37 mi (562.25 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Dakota Dunes

Township in Union County, South Dakota

Population2,540
Coordinates42.4874900, -96.4864200
Altitude334
CountryUnited States
Box Elder

#2 Box Elder

City in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States

Population7,165
Coordinates44.1124900, -103.0682300
Altitude925
CountryUnited States
Start: Glen Eagle Court (-96.486777, 42.487486)
End: Front Street (-103.068237, 44.112405)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 670 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)13h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)10h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)08h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)06h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)05h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)05h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
14.7 gal
55.63 L · about $55.43
Round trip
$110.87
29.4 gal · 111.26 L
Estimated CO2
130.6 kg one way
Round trip: 261.3 kg / 576 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $55.43 $110.87
Mid-grade $4.25 $62.52 $125.04
Premium $4.65 $68.41 $136.83
Diesel $5.30 $77.97 $155.94

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 Dakota Dunes, SD and Box Elder, SD. The current time in Dakota Dunes is 22:00:11, although it is 21:00:11 in Box Elder.

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.