How far is Hot Springs, SD from Pierre, SD?
The driving distance from Hot Springs, SD to Pierre, SD is about 224.8 miles (361.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 168.4 miles (271 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 14m 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 37m.
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.
Town in Jackson County, South Dakota, United States
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 Hot Springs and Pierre.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs and Pierre.
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1
Start on the route
28 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn right onto University Avenue
64 m · 15 sec · University Avenue
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3
Turn left onto South Chicago Street
1817 ft · 31 sec · South Chicago Street
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4
Continue on Jensen Highway
1.1 km · 1 min · Jensen Highway
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5
Continue on Fall River Road
4 mi · 5 min · Fall River Road
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6
Turn left onto SD Highway 79
6.2 mi · 7 min · SD Highway 79
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7
Continue on Highway 79
9.6 mi · 10 min · Highway 79
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8
Continue on SD Highway 79
9.7 mi · 10 min · SD Highway 79
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9
Continue on South Highway 79
8.1 mi · 9 min · South Highway 79
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10
Continue on South Heartland Expressway
2172 ft · 34 sec · South Heartland Expressway
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11
Continue on South Highway 79
13.6 mi · 16 min · South Highway 79
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12
Take the exit slight right
1087 ft · 30 sec
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13
Keep slight right
697 ft · 20 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Elk Vale Road
5.2 mi · 7 min · Elk Vale Road
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15
Take the exit slight right
2710 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left
150.5 mi · 2 hr 22 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 83 North, SD 53: Fort Pierre, Pierre State Capitol
2190 ft · 1 min
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18
Turn left onto US Highway 83
30.9 mi · 35 min · US Highway 83
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19
Continue on South 1st Street
1.6 km · 1 min · South 1st Street
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20
Continue on North Deadwood Street
1.1 km · 47 sec · North Deadwood Street
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21
Continue on North Highway 83
2590 ft · 33 sec · North Highway 83
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22
Continue on West Sioux Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · West Sioux Avenue
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23
Turn left onto South Pierre Street
1115 ft · 25 sec · South Pierre Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Euclid Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs and Sunny near Pierre.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hot Springs to Pierre?
The road trip is about 224.8 miles (361.8 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?
Cottonwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.7 miles from Hot Springs and 103.1 miles from Pierre.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 168.4 miles (271 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.4 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 9:46 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.90 one way or $59.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.5 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs and Sunny near Pierre.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hot Springs and Pierre. Straight-line distance: 168.42 mi (271.04 km).
#1 Hot Springs
City in Fall River County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 3,502 |
| Coordinates | 43.4316500, -103.4743600 |
| Altitude | 1051 |
| 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: 362 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.90 | $59.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.73 | $67.45 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.91 | $73.81 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.06 | $84.12 |
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.