How far is Lead, SD from Watertown, SD?
The driving distance from Lead, SD to Watertown, SD is about 378.8 miles (609.6 km), with a travel time of about 06h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 329.1 miles (529.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 40m.
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 Lyman County, South Dakota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lead and Watertown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lead and Watertown.
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1
Start on the route
31 m · 13 sec
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2
Turn left onto West Main Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
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3
Continue on US Highway 85
897 ft · 15 sec · US Highway 85
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4
Continue on Cliff Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Cliff Street
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5
Continue on Charles Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Charles Street
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6
Merge slight left onto Pioneer Way
1784 ft · 25 sec · Pioneer Way
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7
Continue on Main Street
9.3 mi · 11 min · Main Street
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8
Continue on Boulder Canyon Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Boulder Canyon Road
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9
Continue on Lazelle Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · Lazelle Street
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10
Take the exit right
87.6 mi · 1 hr 27 min
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11
Continue straight
232.3 mi · 3 hr 38 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward SD 25: Emery, Farmer
1688 ft · 48 sec
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13
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
23.8 mi · 28 min · SD Highway 25
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14
Turn right onto SD Highway 34
6 mi · 7 min · SD Highway 34
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15
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
60 mi · 1 hr 11 min · SD Highway 25
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 212
3.9 mi · 6 min · US Highway 212
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17
Continue on 4th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 4th Street
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18
Continue on US Highway 212
10.6 mi · 12 min · US Highway 212
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19
Continue on 9th Avenue Southwest
6.4 mi · 9 min · 9th Avenue Southwest
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20
Turn left onto South Broadway
1.1 km · 2 min · South Broadway
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lead and Watertown.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Lazelle Street
Continue straight
232 mi · 03h 38m
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 Lead and Sunny near Watertown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lead to Watertown?
The road trip is about 378.8 miles (609.6 km) and usually takes 06h 40m 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?
Kennebec is a useful midpoint, sitting about 223.6 miles from Lead and 155.2 miles from Watertown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 329.1 miles (529.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.7 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT. 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 $50.42 one way or $100.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 118.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Lead and Watertown, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lead and Sunny near Watertown.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lead and Watertown. Straight-line distance: 329.1 mi (529.63 km).
#1 Lead
City in South Dakota, United States of America
| Population | 2,947 |
| Coordinates | 44.3522100, -103.7652000 |
| Altitude | 1589 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Watertown
City in and county seat of Codington County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 22,303 |
| Coordinates | 44.8994100, -97.1150700 |
| Altitude | 528 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Broadway (-97.115008, 44.899398)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 610 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $50.42 | $100.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $56.86 | $113.73 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $62.22 | $124.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $70.91 | $141.83 |
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.