How far is Madison, SD from Custer, SD?
The driving distance from Madison, SD to Custer, SD is about 385.3 miles (620 km), with a travel time of about 06h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 323.2 miles (520.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 23m 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 41m.
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.
Census-designated place in Lyman County, South Dakota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Custer.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Custer.
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1
Start on North Egan Avenue
117 m · 20 sec · North Egan Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Northwest 2nd Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · Northwest 2nd Street
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3
Continue on SD Highway 34
26.6 mi · 38 min · SD Highway 34
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4
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
23.6 mi · 27 min · SD Highway 25
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5
Take the ramp right
1803 ft · 44 sec
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6
Merge slight left
287.7 mi · 4 hr 31 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 16 Truck, ND 79 South: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse
1470 ft · 36 sec
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8
Keep slight left
869 ft · 23 sec
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9
Continue on North Elk Vale Road
5.4 mi · 7 min · North Elk Vale Road
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10
Continue on East Catron Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Catron Boulevard
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11
Continue on Catron Boulevard
2.2 mi · 3 min · Catron Boulevard
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12
Turn left onto Mount Rushmore Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Mount Rushmore Road
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13
Continue on South Highway 16
17.5 mi · 22 min · South Highway 16
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14
Continue on Highway 385
3 mi · 5 min · Highway 385
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15
Continue on East Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
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16
Continue on Highway 385
6.1 mi · 8 min · Highway 385
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17
Continue on US Highway 16/385
6 mi · 8 min · US Highway 16/385
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18
Continue on North 5th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North 5th Street
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19
Turn left onto Mount Rushmore Road
128 m · 10 sec · Mount Rushmore Road
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mount Rushmore Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Custer.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
SD Highway 25
Merge slight left
288 mi · 04h 31m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Madison and Chance Snow Showers near Custer.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Custer?
The road trip is about 385.3 miles (620 km) and usually takes 06h 41m 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?
Vivian is a useful midpoint, sitting about 192.2 miles from Madison and 193 miles from Custer.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 323.2 miles (520.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.1 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 $51.25 one way or $102.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 120.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Madison and Custer, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Madison and Chance Snow Showers near Custer.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Custer. Straight-line distance: 323.26 mi (520.24 km).
#1 Madison
City in Lake County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 7,064 |
| Coordinates | 44.0060800, -97.1139500 |
| Altitude | 511 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Custer
City in and county seat of Custer County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 1,926 |
| Coordinates | 43.7666500, -103.5988100 |
| Altitude | 1620 |
| Country | United States |
End: Custer (-103.59881, 43.76665)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 620 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $51.25 | $102.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $57.80 | $115.60 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $63.25 | $126.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $72.08 | $144.16 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.