How far is Garretson, SD from Madison, SD?

The driving distance from Garretson, SD to Madison, SD is about 51.1 miles (82.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36.4 miles (58.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 54m 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
51.1 mi
00h 57m
Flight
36.39 mi
58.57 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Garretson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
36.39 mi
Kilometers
58.57 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
51.1 mi
Kilometers
82.24 km
Drive Time
00h 57m

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 00h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Madison
Thu, Apr 23, 4:14 AM CDT
Return by in Garretson
Thu, Apr 23, 5:11 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Garretson
2026-04-23T03:17
Arrive Madison
Thu, Apr 23, 4:14 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Garretson
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
Dell Rapids
SD

City in South Dakota, United States of America

From Garretson
25.6 mi
00h 28m
To Madison
25.5 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph SSW
Destination
74°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
25 to 30 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Garretson and Madison.

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Avenue

    89 m · 9 sec · North Main Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 5th Street

    2349 ft · 1 min · 5th Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 485th Avenue

    2.9 mi · 4 min · 485th Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 250th Street

    10 mi · 18 min · 250th Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto 475th Avenue

    3.7 mi · 4 min · 475th Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on South Highway 115

    1.3 km · 2 min · South Highway 115

  7. 7

    Turn left onto West 4th Street

    3212 ft · 1 min · West 4th Street

  8. 8

    Continue on 246th Street

    2.4 mi · 3 min · 246th Street

  9. 9

    Take the ramp right toward I 29: Brookings

    1525 ft · 37 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    10.8 mi · 10 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward SD 34: Madison, Colman

    1593 ft · 46 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto SD Highway 34

    2.1 mi · 3 min · SD Highway 34

  13. 13

    Continue on Southeast 3rd Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Southeast 3rd Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Southwest 3rd Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Southwest 3rd Street

  15. 15

    Continue on SD Highway 34

    13.1 mi · 19 min · SD Highway 34

  16. 16

    Continue on Southeast 10th Street

    1 mi · 1 min · Southeast 10th Street

  17. 17

    Keep slight right

    112 m · 10 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto South Washington Avenue

    1.5 km · 1 min · South Washington Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Northeast 2nd Street

    1126 ft · 26 sec · Northeast 2nd Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North Egan Avenue

    117 m · 13 sec · North Egan Avenue

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Egan Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
SD Highway 34
15.2 mi · 30%
I 29
11.1 mi · 22%
250th Street
9.97 mi · 20%
475th Avenue
3.66 mi · 7%
485th Avenue
2.92 mi · 6%
246th Street
2.37 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

SD Highway 34

Continue on SD Highway 34

13.1 mi · 00h 19m

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
00h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.7 mi
36.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dell Rapids
00h 28m from Garretson
Leave By
4:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Garretson 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 Garretson to Madison?

The road trip is about 51.1 miles (82.2 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?

Dell Rapids is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.6 miles from Garretson and 25.5 miles from Madison.

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

The direct path is about 36.4 miles (58.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.7 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 4:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.79 one way or $13.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Garretson and Chance Rain Showers near Madison.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Garretson and Madison. Straight-line distance: 36.39 mi (58.57 km).

Garretson

#1 Garretson

City in South Dakota, United States of America

Population1,147
Coordinates43.7174700, -96.5028200
Altitude458
CountryUnited States
Madison

#2 Madison

City in Lake County, South Dakota, United States

Population7,064
Coordinates44.0060800, -97.1139500
Altitude511
CountryUnited States
Start: North Main Avenue (-96.502783, 43.71747)
End: 1st Street Northeast (-97.113951, 44.006124)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 82 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.8 gal
6.83 L · about $6.79
Round trip
$13.58
3.6 gal · 13.66 L
Estimated CO2
16 kg one way
Round trip: 32 kg / 71 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.79 $13.58
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.66 $15.31
Premium $4.65 $8.38 $16.75
Diesel $5.30 $9.55 $19.09

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Garretson and Madison. The current time is 03:17:31.

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.