How far is Madison, SD from Pierre, SD?

The driving distance from Madison, SD to Pierre, SD is about 177.3 miles (285.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 162.3 miles (261.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
177.33 mi
03h 08m
Flight
162.31 mi
261.21 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Madison.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
162.31 mi
Kilometers
261.21 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
177.33 mi
Kilometers
285.39 km
Drive Time
03h 08m

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 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pierre
Sun, Apr 26, 11:44 PM CDT
Return by in Madison
Mon, Apr 27, 2:53 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Madison
2026-04-26T20:35
Arrive Pierre
Sun, Apr 26, 11:44 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:42 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Madison
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Wolsey
SD

Township in Beadle County, South Dakota

From Madison
96.7 mi
01h 34m
To Pierre
80.7 mi
01h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph E
Destination
54°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Pierre.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Pierre.

  1. 1

    Start on North Egan Avenue

    117 m · 20 sec · North Egan Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Northwest 2nd Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Northwest 2nd Street

  3. 3

    Continue on SD Highway 34

    54.7 mi · 1 hr 10 min · SD Highway 34

  4. 4

    Turn right onto SD Highway 37

    16.8 mi · 19 min · SD Highway 37

  5. 5

    Continue on Dakota Avenue South

    5 mi · 6 min · Dakota Avenue South

  6. 6

    Turn left

    12.2 mi · 14 min

  7. 7

    Turn right onto US Highway 281

    2.1 mi · 2 min · US Highway 281

  8. 8

    Continue on Commercial Avenue

    4.5 mi · 5 min · Commercial Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn left onto US Highway 14

    25.2 mi · 29 min · US Highway 14

  10. 10

    Turn right onto North Broadway

    1.3 km · 1 min · North Broadway

  11. 11

    Turn left onto West 14th Street

    67.8 mi · 1 hr 17 min · West 14th Street

  12. 12

    Continue on North Highway 14

    2.4 mi · 3 min · North Highway 14

  13. 13

    Continue on North Euclid Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · North Euclid Avenue

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Euclid Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Pierre.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West 14th Street
67.8 mi · 38%
SD Highway 34
54.7 mi · 31%
US Highway 14
25.2 mi · 14%
SD Highway 37
16.8 mi · 9%
Dakota Avenue South
4.98 mi · 3%
Commercial Avenue
4.47 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

West 14th Street

Turn left onto West 14th Street

67.8 mi · 01h 17m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 08m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15 mi
162.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wolsey
01h 34m from Madison
Leave By
10:42 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Madison and Rain Showers near Pierre.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Madison to Pierre?

The road trip is about 177.3 miles (285.4 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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?

Wolsey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.7 miles from Madison and 80.7 miles from Pierre.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 162.3 miles (261.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:42 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.61 one way or $47.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Madison and Rain Showers near Pierre.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Pierre. Straight-line distance: 162.31 mi (261.21 km).

Madison

#1 Madison

City in Lake County, South Dakota, United States

Population7,064
Coordinates44.0060800, -97.1139500
Altitude511
CountryUnited States
Pierre

#2 Pierre

Capital city of South Dakota and county seat of Hughes County

Population13,708
Coordinates44.3683200, -100.3509700
Altitude451
CountryUnited States
Start: 1st Street Northeast (-97.113951, 44.006124)
End: US 14 (-100.350889, 44.368274)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 285 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.26 gal
23.69 L · about $23.61
Round trip
$47.21
12.52 gal · 47.38 L
Estimated CO2
55.6 kg one way
Round trip: 111.3 kg / 245 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.61 $47.21
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.62 $53.25
Premium $4.65 $29.13 $58.27
Diesel $5.30 $33.20 $66.41

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 27, 2026

There is no time difference between Madison and Pierre. The current time is 20:35:55.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.