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

The driving distance from Fort Pierre, SD to Watertown, SD is about 190 miles (305.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 164.6 miles (264.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 34m 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
190 mi
03h 17m
Flight
164.61 mi
264.91 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
164.61 mi
Kilometers
264.91 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
190 mi
Kilometers
305.77 km
Drive Time
03h 17m

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 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Watertown
Tue, Jun 2, 4:12 AM CDT
Return by in Fort Pierre
Tue, Jun 2, 6:29 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Pierre
2026-06-01T23:55
Arrive Watertown
Tue, Jun 2, 3:12 AM MDT
Route Timing
03h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:17 AM to 12:17 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
10:26 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
Wolsey
SD

Township in Beadle County, South Dakota

From Fort Pierre
104 mi
01h 38m
To Watertown
86.1 mi
01h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
This Afternoon

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 1:00 PM MDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph E
Destination
83°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South 1st Street

    2335 ft · 32 sec · South 1st Street

  2. 2

    Continue on North Deadwood Street

    1.1 km · 47 sec · North Deadwood Street

  3. 3

    Continue on North Highway 83

    2590 ft · 33 sec · North Highway 83

  4. 4

    Continue on West Sioux Avenue

    1.5 km · 1 min · West Sioux Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto South Pierre Street

    788 ft · 19 sec · South Pierre Street

  6. 6

    Continue on South Euclid Avenue

    1.5 km · 1 min · South Euclid Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on North Highway 14

    2.3 mi · 3 min · North Highway 14

  8. 8

    Continue on US Highway 14

    67.8 mi · 1 hr 17 min · US Highway 14

  9. 9

    Turn right onto North Broadway

    1.3 km · 1 min · North Broadway

  10. 10

    Turn left onto East 3rd Street

    25.2 mi · 29 min · East 3rd Street

  11. 11

    Turn right

    6.6 mi · 8 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto US Highway 14

    30.1 mi · 34 min · US Highway 14

  13. 13

    Continue on East Neosho Street

    2746 ft · 36 sec · East Neosho Street

  14. 14

    Continue on US Highway 14

    14.6 mi · 17 min · US Highway 14

  15. 15

    Turn left onto SD Highway 25 South

    34.2 mi · 40 min · SD Highway 25 South

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 212

    3.9 mi · 6 min · US Highway 212

  17. 17

    Continue on 4th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 4th Street

  18. 18

    Continue on US Highway 212

    10.6 mi · 12 min · US Highway 212

  19. 19

    Continue on 9th Avenue Southwest

    6.4 mi · 9 min · 9th Avenue Southwest

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South Broadway

    1.1 km · 2 min · South Broadway

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Broadway

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US Highway 14
112 mi · 59%
SD Highway 25 South
34.2 mi · 18%
East 3rd Street
25.2 mi · 13%
US Highway 212
14.5 mi · 8%
9th Avenue Southwest
6.41 mi · 3%
North Highway 14
2.34 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 14

Continue on US Highway 14

67.8 mi · 01h 17m

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 17m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.4 mi
164.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wolsey
01h 38m from Fort Pierre
Leave By
10:26 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Fort Pierre and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Watertown.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 190 miles (305.8 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?

Wolsey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104 miles from Fort Pierre and 86.1 miles from Watertown.

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

The direct path is about 164.6 miles (264.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.4 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 10:26 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.27 one way or $50.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.5 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 Watertown, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Fort Pierre and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Watertown.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Pierre and Watertown. Straight-line distance: 164.61 mi (264.91 km).

Fort Pierre

#1 Fort Pierre

City in South Dakota, United States of America

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

#2 Watertown

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

Population22,303
Coordinates44.8994100, -97.1150700
Altitude528
CountryUnited States
Start: US 83 (-100.373664, 44.3536)
End: South Broadway (-97.115008, 44.899398)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 306 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.7 gal
25.38 L · about $25.27
Round trip
$50.53
13.4 gal · 50.76 L
Estimated CO2
59.5 kg one way
Round trip: 119.1 kg / 263 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.27 $50.53
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.50 $56.99
Premium $4.65 $31.18 $62.36
Diesel $5.30 $35.54 $71.07

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 · Jun 02, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Fort Pierre, SD and Watertown, SD. The current time in Fort Pierre is 23:55:01, although it is 00:55:01 in Watertown.

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.