How far is Fort Thompson, SD from Mitchell, SD?

The driving distance from Fort Thompson, SD to Mitchell, SD is about 91.8 miles (147.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 74.4 miles (119.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 00m 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
91.75 mi
01h 30m
Flight
74.38 mi
119.7 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fort Thompson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
74.38 mi
Kilometers
119.7 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
91.75 mi
Kilometers
147.66 km
Drive Time
01h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mitchell
Wed, Apr 15, 10:41 PM CDT
Return by in Fort Thompson
Thu, Apr 16, 12:12 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Thompson
2026-04-15T21:11
Arrive Mitchell
Wed, Apr 15, 10:41 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fort Thompson
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
Kimball
SD

City in Brule County, South Dakota, United States

From Fort Thompson
47.8 mi
00h 45m
To Mitchell
43.9 mi
00h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 PM CDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph W
Destination
75°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Thompson and Mitchell.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Thompson and Mitchell.

  1. 1

    Start on BIA Route 4

    20 m · 2 sec · BIA Route 4

  2. 2

    Turn right onto SD Highway 249

    1.1 mi · 2 min · SD Highway 249

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto SD Highway 34

    4.6 mi · 7 min · SD Highway 34

  4. 4

    Turn right onto SD Highway 50

    18.8 mi · 28 min · SD Highway 50

  5. 5

    Continue on North Main Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · North Main Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto East Mott Avenue

    101 m · 17 sec · East Mott Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North Sanborn Street

    1625 ft · 1 min · North Sanborn Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto East King Street

    3.2 mi · 5 min · East King Street

  9. 9

    Take the ramp left toward I 90 East

    1848 ft · 45 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    63.8 mi · 1 hr

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    1927 ft · 53 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto South Ohlman Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · South Ohlman Street

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right

    92 m · 8 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto West Havens Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · West Havens Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South Sanborn Boulevard

    2659 ft · 1 min · South Sanborn Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West 1st Avenue

    10 m · 1 sec · West 1st Avenue

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Thompson and Mitchell.

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
17 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90 East
64.5 mi · 70%
SD Highway 50
18.8 mi · 21%
SD Highway 34
4.63 mi · 5%
East King Street
3.24 mi · 4%
SD Highway 249
1.13 mi · 1%
North Main Street
0.96 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 90 East

Merge slight left

63.8 mi · 01h 00m

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 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.4 mi
74.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kimball
00h 45m from Fort Thompson
Leave By
3:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fort Thompson and Mostly Sunny near Mitchell.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fort Thompson to Mitchell?

The road trip is about 91.8 miles (147.7 km) and usually takes 01h 30m 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?

Kimball is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.8 miles from Fort Thompson and 43.9 miles from Mitchell.

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

The direct path is about 74.4 miles (119.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.22 one way or $24.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Thompson and Mostly Sunny near Mitchell.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Thompson and Mitchell. Straight-line distance: 74.38 mi (119.7 km).

Fort Thompson

#1 Fort Thompson

Census-designated place in Buffalo County, South Dakota, United States

Population1,282
Coordinates44.0686000, -99.4378800
Altitude439
CountryUnited States
Mitchell

#2 Mitchell

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

Population15,697
Coordinates43.7094300, -98.0298000
Altitude400
CountryUnited States
Start: East Fort Thompson Road (-99.437831, 44.0686)
End: West 1st Avenue (-98.0298, 43.709412)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 148 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.24 gal
12.26 L · about $12.22
Round trip
$24.44
6.48 gal · 24.52 L
Estimated CO2
28.8 kg one way
Round trip: 57.6 kg / 127 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.22 $24.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.78 $27.56
Premium $4.65 $15.08 $30.16
Diesel $5.30 $17.18 $34.37

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Thompson and Mitchell. The current time is 21:11:33.

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.