How far is Harrisburg, SD from Watertown, SD?

The driving distance from Harrisburg, SD to Watertown, SD is about 115.4 miles (185.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 103.5 miles (166.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 22m 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
115.36 mi
01h 41m
Flight
103.52 mi
166.6 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Harrisburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
103.52 mi
Kilometers
166.6 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
115.36 mi
Kilometers
185.66 km
Drive Time
01h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Watertown
Sat, Apr 25, 12:48 PM CDT
Return by in Harrisburg
Sat, Apr 25, 2:29 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Harrisburg
2026-04-25T11:07
Arrive Watertown
Sat, Apr 25, 12:48 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:08 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Harrisburg
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
Medary
SD

Township in Brookings County, South Dakota

From Harrisburg
57.4 mi
00h 50m
To Watertown
58 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph ENE
Destination
48°F
Saturday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg and Watertown.

  1. 1

    Start on East Willow Street

    1.8 mi · 3 min · East Willow Street

  2. 2

    Continue on 273rd Street

    3.2 mi · 6 min · 273rd Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    1644 ft · 40 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    105.9 mi · 1 hr 42 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 212: Watertown, Kranzburg

    1564 ft · 38 sec

  6. 6

    Turn left onto US 212: Watertown

    41 m · 4 sec

  7. 7

    Turn straight onto 9th Avenue Southeast

    3138 ft · 1 min · 9th Avenue Southeast

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Willow Creek Drive Southeast

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Willow Creek Drive Southeast

  9. 9

    Continue on 1st Avenue Northeast

    1.4 mi · 3 min · 1st Avenue Northeast

  10. 10

    Turn left onto North Broadway

    885 ft · 26 sec · North Broadway

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Broadway

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
11 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
273rd Street
109 mi · 95%
East Willow Street
1.78 mi · 2%
1st Avenue Northeast
1.42 mi · 1%
Willow Creek Drive Southeast
1.11 mi · 1%
9th Avenue Southeast
0.59 mi · 1%
US 212
0.32 mi
Longest Stretch

273rd Street

Merge slight left

106 mi · 01h 42m

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 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.9 mi
103.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Medary
00h 50m from Harrisburg
Leave By
3:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Harrisburg and Rain Showers Likely near Watertown.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Harrisburg to Watertown?

The road trip is about 115.4 miles (185.7 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?

Medary is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.4 miles from Harrisburg and 58 miles from Watertown.

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

The direct path is about 103.5 miles (166.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.9 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 3:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.35 one way or $30.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Harrisburg and Rain Showers Likely near Watertown.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Harrisburg and Watertown. Straight-line distance: 103.52 mi (166.6 km).

Harrisburg

#1 Harrisburg

City in South Dakota, United States of America

Population7,126
Coordinates43.4313700, -96.6972700
Altitude435
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: Willow Street (-96.697271, 43.431465)
End: South Broadway (-97.115008, 44.899398)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 186 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.07 gal
15.41 L · about $15.35
Round trip
$30.70
8.14 gal · 30.82 L
Estimated CO2
36.2 kg one way
Round trip: 72.3 kg / 159 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.35 $30.70
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.31 $34.62
Premium $4.65 $18.94 $37.88
Diesel $5.30 $21.59 $43.17

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Harrisburg and Watertown. The current time is 11:07:04.

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.