How far is Draper, SD from Van Metre, SD?

The driving distance from Draper, SD to Van Metre, SD is about 33.1 miles (53.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 20.4 miles (32.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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
33.08 mi
01h 39m
Flight
20.45 mi
32.91 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Draper.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
20.45 mi
Kilometers
32.91 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
33.08 mi
Kilometers
53.24 km
Drive Time
01h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Van Metre
Fri, Oct 16, 6:10 AM CDT
Return by in Draper
Fri, Oct 16, 7:49 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Draper
2026-10-16T04:31
Arrive Van Metre
Fri, Oct 16, 6:10 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:39 AM to 11:39 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Draper
9:30 PM CDT
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
Murdo
SD

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

From Draper
16.5 mi
00h 49m
To Van Metre
16.5 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Oct 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 22 mph WNW
Destination
54°F
Friday

Widespread Frost then Sunny

Starts
Fri, Oct 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 18 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Draper and Van Metre.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Draper and Van Metre.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    1161 ft · 53 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right

    1834 ft · 40 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left onto County Road N13

    1.5 km · 2 min · County Road N13

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right

    1669 ft · 41 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    7.9 mi · 7 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90 Business, US 83 South: Murdo, White River

    1623 ft · 41 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Kennedy Avenue

    925 ft · 28 sec · Kennedy Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 5th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 5th Street

  9. 9

    Turn right

    1.4 mi · 6 min

  10. 10

    Turn slight left

    1.9 mi · 7 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    1012 ft · 44 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Van Metre Road

    18 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Van Metre Road

  13. 13

    Turn right

    676 ft · 30 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on Van Metre Road

    1325 ft · 58 sec · Van Metre Road

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Van Metre Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Draper and Van Metre.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
15 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
45.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Van Metre Road
18.3 mi · 55%
County Road N13
9.08 mi · 27%
5th Street
1.19 mi · 4%
I 90 Business
0.31 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.22 mi · 1%
Kennedy Avenue
0.18 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Van Metre Road

Turn straight onto Van Metre Road

18 mi · 01h 10m

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 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.7 mi
20.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Murdo
00h 49m from Draper
Leave By
3:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Draper and Widespread Frost then Sunny near Van Metre.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Draper to Van Metre?

The road trip is about 33.1 miles (53.2 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?

Murdo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.5 miles from Draper and 16.5 miles from Van Metre.

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

The direct path is about 20.4 miles (32.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.7 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.95 one way or $9.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Draper and Widespread Frost then Sunny near Van Metre.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Draper and Van Metre. Straight-line distance: 20.45 mi (32.91 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Draper

Town in South Dakota, United States of America

Population31
Coordinates43.9261000, -100.5404100
Altitude690
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Van Metre

Located in Jones County at an elevation of 1690 feet, this rural area is situated within the grassland region of central South Dakota.

Population0
Coordinates44.1594300, -100.7937500
Altitude515
CountryUnited States
Start: Draper (-100.54041, 43.9261)
End: Van Metre (-100.79375, 44.15943)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 53 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 39m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.17 gal
4.42 L · about $4.95
Round trip
$9.91
2.34 gal · 8.84 L
Estimated CO2
10.4 kg one way
Round trip: 20.8 kg / 46 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.23 $4.95 $9.91
Mid-grade $4.46 $5.22 $10.43
Premium $5.05 $5.91 $11.82
Diesel $6.01 $7.03 $14.06

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Draper and Van Metre. The current time is 04:31:02.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.