How far is Pierre, SD from Jefferson, SD?

The driving distance from Pierre, SD to Jefferson, SD is about 293.2 miles (471.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 225.8 miles (363.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 33m 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
293.19 mi
04h 46m
Flight
225.83 mi
363.44 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pierre.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
225.83 mi
Kilometers
363.44 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
293.19 mi
Kilometers
471.84 km
Drive Time
04h 46m

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 04h 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jefferson
Thu, Apr 16, 5:05 AM CDT
Return by in Pierre
Thu, Apr 16, 9:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pierre
2026-04-16T00:18
Arrive Jefferson
Thu, Apr 16, 5:05 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:47 AM to 12:47 PM CDT

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

Leave by
7:26 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Pierre
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
Mount Vernon
SD

City in South Dakota, United States

From Pierre
146.4 mi
02h 23m
To Jefferson
146.8 mi
02h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 17 mph SW
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Euclid Avenue

    551 ft · 15 sec · South Euclid Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Pierre Street

    564 ft · 14 sec · South Pierre Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Sioux Avenue

    1.5 km · 1 min · West Sioux Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on North Highway 83

    2600 ft · 36 sec · North Highway 83

  5. 5

    Continue on North Deadwood Street

    1.1 km · 46 sec · North Deadwood Street

  6. 6

    Continue on North 1st Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · North 1st Street

  7. 7

    Continue on South US Highway 83

    30.9 mi · 35 min · South US Highway 83

  8. 8

    Take the exit left

    1746 ft · 43 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    182.9 mi · 2 hr 52 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right

    2349 ft · 57 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    74.1 mi · 1 hr 12 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson

    791 ft · 22 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 330th Street

    122 m · 8 sec · 330th Street

  14. 14

    Continue on West Dakota Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · West Dakota Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1163 ft · 25 sec · Main Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South 3rd Street

    17 m · 2 sec · South 3rd Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South US Highway 83
289 mi · 99%
North 1st Street
0.99 mi
West Sioux Avenue
0.92 mi
West Dakota Street
0.75 mi
North Deadwood Street
0.67 mi
North Highway 83
0.49 mi
Longest Stretch

South US Highway 83

Merge slight left

183 mi · 02h 52m

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
04h 46m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+67.4 mi
225.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mount Vernon
02h 23m from Pierre
Leave By
7:26 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Pierre and Sunny near Jefferson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 293.2 miles (471.8 km) and usually takes 04h 46m 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?

Mount Vernon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.4 miles from Pierre and 146.8 miles from Jefferson.

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

The direct path is about 225.8 miles (363.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 67.4 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 7:26 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.99 one way or $77.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Pierre and Sunny near Jefferson.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pierre and Jefferson. Straight-line distance: 225.83 mi (363.44 km).

Pierre

#1 Pierre

Capital city of South Dakota and county seat of Hughes County

Population13,708
Coordinates44.3683200, -100.3509700
Altitude451
CountryUnited States
Jefferson

#2 Jefferson

City in South Dakota, United States

Population1,159
Coordinates42.6025000, -96.5592000
Altitude340
CountryUnited States
Start: Pierre (-100.35097, 44.36832)
End: Jefferson (-96.5592, 42.6025)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 472 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.34 gal
39.16 L · about $38.99
Round trip
$77.98
20.68 gal · 78.32 L
Estimated CO2
91.9 kg one way
Round trip: 183.8 kg / 405 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $38.99 $77.98
Mid-grade $4.25 $43.98 $87.95
Premium $4.65 $48.12 $96.24
Diesel $5.30 $54.84 $109.69

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Pierre and Jefferson. The current time is 00:18:37.

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.