How far is Hill City, SD from Pierre, SD?
The driving distance from Hill City, SD to Pierre, SD is about 197.8 miles (318.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162.6 miles (261.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 15m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hill City and Pierre.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hill City and Pierre.
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1
Start on Elm Street
19 m · 6 sec · Elm Street
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2
Turn right onto Main Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street
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3
Continue on Highway 385
3 mi · 5 min · Highway 385
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4
Continue on South Highway 16
17.7 mi · 22 min · South Highway 16
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5
Continue on Mount Rushmore Road
1 mi · 1 min · Mount Rushmore Road
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6
Take the exit slight right
577 ft · 12 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Catron Boulevard
3.3 mi · 5 min · Catron Boulevard
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8
Continue on Elk Vale Road
5.3 mi · 7 min · Elk Vale Road
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9
Take the exit slight right
2710 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left
150.5 mi · 2 hr 22 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 83 North, SD 53: Fort Pierre, Pierre State Capitol
2190 ft · 1 min
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12
Turn left onto US Highway 83
30.9 mi · 35 min · US Highway 83
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13
Continue on South 1st Street
1.6 km · 1 min · South 1st Street
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14
Continue on North Deadwood Street
1.1 km · 47 sec · North Deadwood Street
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15
Continue on North Highway 83
2590 ft · 33 sec · North Highway 83
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16
Continue on West Sioux Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · West Sioux Avenue
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17
Turn left onto South Pierre Street
1115 ft · 25 sec · South Pierre Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Euclid Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hill City and Pierre.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Elk Vale Road
Merge slight left
150 mi · 02h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Hill City and Sunny near Pierre.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hill City to Pierre?
The road trip is about 197.8 miles (318.4 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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?
Weta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.2 miles from Hill City and 89.7 miles from Pierre.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162.6 miles (261.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.2 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 10:28 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.32 one way or $52.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Hill City and Pierre, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hill City and Sunny near Pierre.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hill City and Pierre. Straight-line distance: 162.64 mi (261.75 km).
#1 Hill City
City in South Dakota, United States of America
| Population | 1,032 |
| Coordinates | 43.9324900, -103.5751900 |
| Altitude | 1519 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Pierre
Capital city of South Dakota and county seat of Hughes County
| Population | 13,708 |
| Coordinates | 44.3683200, -100.3509700 |
| Altitude | 451 |
| Country | United States |
End: US 14 (-100.350889, 44.368274)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 318 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.32 | $52.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.69 | $59.37 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.48 | $64.97 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.02 | $74.04 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.