How far is Lemmon, SD from Watertown, SD?
The driving distance from Lemmon, SD to Watertown, SD is about 295.1 miles (474.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 254.9 miles (410.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 03m 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 05h 01m.
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.
Township in Edmunds County, South Dakota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lemmon and Watertown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lemmon and Watertown.
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1
Start on Main Avenue
2146 ft · 1 min · Main Avenue
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2
Turn left onto 10th Street East
95.6 mi · 1 hr 49 min · 10th Street East
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3
Continue on West Grand Crossing
3.4 mi · 4 min · West Grand Crossing
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4
Continue on US Highway 12
18.5 mi · 21 min · US Highway 12
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5
Continue on Highway 12 & 83
1.5 km · 1 min · Highway 12 & 83
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6
Continue on US Highway 12
17.8 mi · 20 min · US Highway 12
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7
Continue straight
35.3 mi · 40 min
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8
Continue straight
76.7 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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9
Turn right onto Main Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · Main Street
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10
Continue on SD Highway 25
16.2 mi · 19 min · SD Highway 25
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11
Turn left onto SD Highway 20
21.5 mi · 25 min · SD Highway 20
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12
Continue on North Highway 20
4.4 mi · 7 min · North Highway 20
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13
Continue on 10th Street Northwest
1.1 km · 1 min · 10th Street Northwest
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14
Turn left onto West Kemp Avenue
2673 ft · 56 sec · West Kemp Avenue
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15
Continue on West Kemp Avenue
1844 ft · 55 sec · West Kemp Avenue
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16
Turn right onto South Broadway
123 m · 11 sec · South Broadway
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lemmon and Watertown.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
10th Street East
Turn left onto 10th Street East
95.6 mi · 01h 49m
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lemmon and Mostly Sunny near Watertown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lemmon to Watertown?
The road trip is about 295.1 miles (474.9 km) and usually takes 05h 01m 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?
Bowdle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.5 miles from Lemmon and 148.6 miles from Watertown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 254.9 miles (410.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.2 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 6:56 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.26 one way or $78.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.5 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Lemmon and Watertown, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lemmon and Mostly Sunny near Watertown.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lemmon and Watertown. Straight-line distance: 254.94 mi (410.29 km).
#1 Lemmon
City in South Dakota, United States of America
| Population | 1,160 |
| Coordinates | 45.9408300, -102.1593200 |
| Altitude | 783 |
| 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: 475 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.26 | $78.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.27 | $88.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.45 | $96.90 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.21 | $110.43 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.