How far is Jefferson, SD from Rapid City, SD?
The driving distance from Jefferson, SD to Rapid City, SD is about 418.1 miles (672.9 km), with a travel time of about 06h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 350.3 miles (563.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
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 06h 01m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in and county seat of Brule County, South Dakota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jefferson and Rapid City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson and Rapid City.
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1
Start on South 3rd Street
17 m · 8 sec · South 3rd Street
-
2
Turn left onto Main Street
1163 ft · 24 sec · Main Street
-
3
Turn left onto West Dakota Street
1.1 km · 1 min · West Dakota Street
-
4
Take the ramp slight right
1219 ft · 30 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
74.4 mi · 1 hr 12 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 West: Rapid City
1236 ft · 30 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
339 mi · 5 hr 21 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 190, US 16: Downtown, Black Hawk National Forest, Mount Rushmore
2265 ft · 1 min
-
9
Continue straight
1.4 mi · 2 min
-
10
Turn left onto Omaha Street
1148 ft · 39 sec · Omaha Street
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11
Turn right onto Mount Rushmore Road
1223 ft · 46 sec · Mount Rushmore Road
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mount Rushmore Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jefferson and Rapid City.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 90 West
Merge slight left
339 mi · 05h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Jefferson and Sunny near Rapid City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jefferson to Rapid City?
The road trip is about 418.1 miles (672.9 km) and usually takes 06h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Chamberlain is a useful midpoint, sitting about 208.2 miles from Jefferson and 210 miles from Rapid City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 350.3 miles (563.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 67.8 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $55.62 one way or $111.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 131.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Jefferson and Rapid City, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Jefferson and Sunny near Rapid City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jefferson and Rapid City. Straight-line distance: 350.35 mi (563.83 km).
#1 Jefferson
City in South Dakota, United States
| Population | 1,159 |
| Coordinates | 42.6025000, -96.5592000 |
| Altitude | 340 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rapid City
The second most populous city in South Dakota.
| Population | 77,503 |
| Coordinates | 44.0805400, -103.2310100 |
| Altitude | 988 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mount Rushmore Road (-103.231059, 44.080547)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 673 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $55.62 | $111.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $62.73 | $125.46 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $68.65 | $137.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $78.23 | $156.47 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.