How far is Fort Pierre, SD from Box Elder, SD?

The driving distance from Fort Pierre, SD to Box Elder, SD is about 178.5 miles (287.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 134.4 miles (216.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 09m 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
178.49 mi
02h 34m
Flight
134.42 mi
216.33 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fort Pierre.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
134.42 mi
Kilometers
216.33 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.49 mi
Kilometers
287.25 km
Drive Time
02h 34m

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 02h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Box Elder
Sat, Apr 18, 12:03 AM MDT
Return by in Fort Pierre
Sat, Apr 18, 2:38 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Pierre
2026-04-17T21:28
Arrive Box Elder
Sat, Apr 18, 12:03 AM MDT
Route Timing
02h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:35 AM to 12:35 PM MDT

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

Leave by
1:20 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fort Pierre
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
Kadoka
SD

City in and county sear of in Jackson County, South Dakota, United States of America

From Fort Pierre
89.2 mi
01h 17m
To Box Elder
89.4 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
45°F
Friday

Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 5:00 AM MDT
Wind
22 to 26 mph NNW
Destination
42°F
Friday

Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
25 to 30 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Pierre and Box Elder.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Pierre and Box Elder.

  1. 1

    Start on South 1st Street

    2896 ft · 38 sec · South 1st Street

  2. 2

    Continue on South US Highway 83

    30.6 mi · 35 min · South US Highway 83

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right

    95.4 mi · 1 hr 30 min

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    50.1 mi · 47 min

  5. 5

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

    1962 ft · 48 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    28 m · 7 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Liberty Boulevard

    2562 ft · 52 sec · Liberty Boulevard

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Highway 1416

    1.5 km · 2 min · Highway 1416

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Oak Street

    671 ft · 32 sec · Oak Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Front Street

    29 m · 4 sec · Front Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Front Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Pierre and Box Elder.

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
11 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South US Highway 83
177 mi · 99%
Highway 1416
0.9 mi · 1%
South 1st Street
0.55 mi
Liberty Boulevard
0.49 mi
Oak Street
0.13 mi
Front Street
0.02 mi
Longest Stretch

South US Highway 83

Take the exit slight right

95.4 mi · 01h 30m

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
02h 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.1 mi
134.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kadoka
01h 17m from Fort Pierre
Leave By
1:20 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Snow Showers leaving Fort Pierre and Chance Snow Showers near Box Elder.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fort Pierre to Box Elder?

The road trip is about 178.5 miles (287.2 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?

Kadoka is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.2 miles from Fort Pierre and 89.4 miles from Box Elder.

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

The direct path is about 134.4 miles (216.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.1 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 1:20 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.76 one way or $47.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Fort Pierre and Chance Snow Showers near Box Elder.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Pierre and Box Elder. Straight-line distance: 134.42 mi (216.33 km).

Fort Pierre

#1 Fort Pierre

City in South Dakota, United States of America

Population2,236
Coordinates44.3535900, -100.3737400
Altitude437
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: US 83 (-100.373664, 44.3536)
End: Front Street (-103.068237, 44.112405)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 287 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.3 gal
23.84 L · about $23.76
Round trip
$47.51
12.6 gal · 47.68 L
Estimated CO2
56 kg one way
Round trip: 112 kg / 247 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.76 $47.51
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.79 $53.59
Premium $4.65 $29.32 $58.64
Diesel $5.30 $33.42 $66.83

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Pierre and Box Elder. The current time is 21:28:48.

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.