How far is Fort Pierre, SD from Madison, SD?

The driving distance from Fort Pierre, SD to Madison, SD is about 179.6 miles (289.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 163.3 miles (262.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
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
179.64 mi
03h 11m
Flight
163.29 mi
262.79 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fort Pierre.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
163.29 mi
Kilometers
262.79 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
179.64 mi
Kilometers
289.1 km
Drive Time
03h 11m

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 03h 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Madison
Sat, Apr 18, 3:05 AM CDT
Return by in Fort Pierre
Sat, Apr 18, 5:17 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Pierre
2026-04-17T22:53
Arrive Madison
Sat, Apr 18, 2:05 AM MDT
Route Timing
03h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:12 AM to 12:12 PM CDT

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

Leave by
10:36 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fort Pierre
9:00 PM MDT
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
White Lake
SD

City in Aurora County, South Dakota, United States

From Fort Pierre
110 mi
01h 35m
To Madison
69.6 mi
01h 35m

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
62°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Pierre and Madison.

  1. 1

    Start on South 1st Street

    2896 ft · 38 sec · South 1st Street

  2. 2

    Continue on South US Highway 83

    30.9 mi · 35 min · South US Highway 83

  3. 3

    Take the exit left

    1746 ft · 43 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    136.5 mi · 2 hr 8 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward SD 25: Emery, Farmer

    1688 ft · 48 sec

  6. 6

    Turn left onto SD Highway 25

    23.8 mi · 28 min · SD Highway 25

  7. 7

    Turn right onto SD Highway 34

    26.6 mi · 38 min · SD Highway 34

  8. 8

    Continue on Northwest 2nd Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Northwest 2nd Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto North Egan Avenue

    117 m · 13 sec · North Egan Avenue

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Egan Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
10 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South US Highway 83
168 mi · 93%
SD Highway 34
26.6 mi · 15%
SD Highway 25
23.8 mi · 13%
Northwest 2nd Street
1.3 mi · 1%
South 1st Street
0.55 mi
SD 25
0.32 mi
Longest Stretch

South US Highway 83

Merge slight left

137 mi · 02h 08m

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
03h 11m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.3 mi
163.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
White Lake
01h 35m from Fort Pierre
Leave By
10:36 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Snow Showers leaving Fort Pierre and Chance Rain Showers near Madison.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fort Pierre to Madison?

The road trip is about 179.6 miles (289.1 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?

White Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110 miles from Fort Pierre and 69.6 miles from Madison.

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

The direct path is about 163.3 miles (262.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.3 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 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:36 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.91 one way or $47.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.3 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Fort Pierre and Madison, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Fort Pierre and Chance Rain Showers near Madison.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Pierre and Madison. Straight-line distance: 163.29 mi (262.79 km).

Fort Pierre

#1 Fort Pierre

City in South Dakota, United States of America

Population2,236
Coordinates44.3535900, -100.3737400
Altitude437
CountryUnited States
Madison

#2 Madison

City in Lake County, South Dakota, United States

Population7,064
Coordinates44.0060800, -97.1139500
Altitude511
CountryUnited States
Start: US 83 (-100.373664, 44.3536)
End: 1st Street Northeast (-97.113951, 44.006124)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 289 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.34 gal
24 L · about $23.91
Round trip
$47.82
12.68 gal · 48 L
Estimated CO2
56.3 kg one way
Round trip: 112.7 kg / 248 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.91 $47.82
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.96 $53.93
Premium $4.65 $29.51 $59.01
Diesel $5.30 $33.63 $67.25

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

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Fort Pierre, SD and Madison, SD. The current time in Fort Pierre is 22:53:54, although it is 23:53:54 in Madison.

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.