How far is Parkston, SD from Watertown, SD?

The driving distance from Parkston, SD to Watertown, SD is about 151.4 miles (243.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 112.3 miles (180.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
151.36 mi
02h 33m
Flight
112.26 mi
180.67 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Parkston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
112.26 mi
Kilometers
180.67 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
151.36 mi
Kilometers
243.59 km
Drive Time
02h 33m

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 02h 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Watertown
Sun, May 3, 2:44 PM CDT
Return by in Parkston
Sun, May 3, 5:18 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Parkston
2026-05-03T12:10
Arrive Watertown
Sun, May 3, 2:44 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:22 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Parkston
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Howard
SD

City in South Dakota, United States of America

From Parkston
75.6 mi
01h 16m
To Watertown
75.7 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
46°F
Overnight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Sun, May 3 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NNW
Destination
64°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Parkston and Watertown.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Parkston and Watertown.

  1. 1

    Start on East Glynn Drive

    1 km · 2 min · East Glynn Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto SD Highway 37

    19 mi · 28 min · SD Highway 37

  3. 3

    Continue on South Highway 37

    1 mi · 2 min · South Highway 37

  4. 4

    Continue on South Burr Street

    1286 ft · 22 sec · South Burr Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right

    17.6 mi · 17 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward SD 25: Emery, Farmer

    1688 ft · 48 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto SD Highway 25

    23.8 mi · 28 min · SD Highway 25

  8. 8

    Turn right onto SD Highway 34

    6 mi · 7 min · SD Highway 34

  9. 9

    Turn left onto SD Highway 25

    60 mi · 1 hr 11 min · SD Highway 25

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 212

    3.9 mi · 6 min · US Highway 212

  11. 11

    Continue on 4th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 4th Street

  12. 12

    Continue on US Highway 212

    10.6 mi · 12 min · US Highway 212

  13. 13

    Continue on 9th Avenue Southwest

    6.4 mi · 9 min · 9th Avenue Southwest

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South Broadway

    1.1 km · 2 min · South Broadway

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Broadway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Parkston and Watertown.

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
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
SD Highway 25
83.8 mi · 55%
SD Highway 37
19 mi · 13%
South Burr Street
17.8 mi · 12%
US Highway 212
14.5 mi · 10%
9th Avenue Southwest
6.41 mi · 4%
SD Highway 34
6.03 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

SD Highway 25

Turn left onto SD Highway 25

60 mi · 01h 11m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.1 mi
112.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Howard
01h 16m from Parkston
Leave By
1:22 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Parkston and Sunny near Watertown.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Parkston to Watertown?

The road trip is about 151.4 miles (243.6 km) and usually takes 02h 33m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Howard is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.6 miles from Parkston and 75.7 miles from Watertown.

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

The direct path is about 112.3 miles (180.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:22 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.14 one way or $40.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Parkston and Sunny near Watertown.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Parkston and Watertown. Straight-line distance: 112.26 mi (180.67 km).

Parkston

#1 Parkston

City in Hitchinson County, South Dakota, United States

Population1,456
Coordinates43.3988800, -97.9836800
Altitude425
CountryUnited States
Watertown

#2 Watertown

City in and county seat of Codington County, South Dakota, United States

Population22,303
Coordinates44.8994100, -97.1150700
Altitude528
CountryUnited States
Start: East Glynn Drive (-97.983683, 43.398963)
End: South Broadway (-97.115008, 44.899398)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 244 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.34 gal
20.22 L · about $20.14
Round trip
$40.27
10.68 gal · 40.44 L
Estimated CO2
47.5 kg one way
Round trip: 94.9 kg / 209 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.14 $40.27
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.71 $45.42
Premium $4.65 $24.85 $49.70
Diesel $5.30 $28.32 $56.65

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 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Parkston and Watertown. The current time is 12:10:56.

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.