How far is Rapid City, SD from Billings, MT?
The driving distance from Rapid City, SD to Billings, MT is about 317.1 miles (510.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 283.3 miles (455.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 59m 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 59m.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Cloudy
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rapid City and Billings.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rapid City and Billings.
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1
Start on Mount Rushmore Road
1223 ft · 48 sec · Mount Rushmore Road
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2
Turn left onto Omaha Street
1094 ft · 38 sec · Omaha Street
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3
Turn right
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
4
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Gillette
1.3 km · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left
30.5 mi · 31 min
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6
Continue straight
2.9 mi · 3 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward SD 34 West: Whitewood, Belle Fourche
1463 ft · 38 sec
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8
Turn right onto SD Highway 34
17.4 mi · 21 min · SD Highway 34
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9
Turn right onto 5th Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · 5th Avenue
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10
Turn left onto US Highway 212
93.7 mi · 1 hr 46 min · US Highway 212
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11
Continue on Park Avenue
2986 ft · 1 min · Park Avenue
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12
Turn left onto Holt Street
43.7 mi · 51 min · Holt Street
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13
Continue on Main Street
3072 ft · 2 min · Main Street
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14
Continue on US Highway 212
20.1 mi · 24 min · US Highway 212
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US Highway 212
66 m · 4 sec · US Highway 212
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16
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 212
41.8 mi · 49 min · US Highway 212
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17
Take the exit slight right
131 m · 11 sec
-
18
Continue straight
57.9 mi · 55 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 Business, US 87 North: Lockwood, Roundup
1389 ft · 36 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto US Highway 87 East
1.2 mi · 1 min · US Highway 87 East
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto 1st Avenue North
1.2 mi · 3 min · 1st Avenue North
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22
Turn left onto North 25th Street
114 m · 16 sec · North 25th Street
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23
Turn left onto Montana Avenue
51 m · 6 sec · Montana Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Montana Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rapid City and Billings.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US Highway 212
Turn left onto US Highway 212
93.7 mi · 01h 46m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Cloudy leaving Rapid City and Sunny near Billings.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rapid City to Billings?
The road trip is about 317.1 miles (510.4 km) and usually takes 05h 59m 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?
Broadus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.2 miles from Rapid City and 158.9 miles from Billings.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 283.3 miles (455.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.8 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 5:00 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.24 one way or $94.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Cloudy around Rapid City and Sunny near Billings.
Stop Ideas Near Broadus
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Broadus.
Miles City, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rapid City and Billings. Straight-line distance: 283.26 mi (455.87 km).
#1 Rapid City
The second most populous city in South Dakota.
| Population | 77,503 |
| Coordinates | 44.0805400, -103.2310100 |
| Altitude | 988 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Billings
The most populous city in Montana.
| Population | 117,445 |
| Coordinates | 45.7832900, -108.5006900 |
| Altitude | 952 |
| Country | United States |
End: Billings (-108.50069, 45.78329)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 510 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.22 | $47.24 | $94.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.42 | $49.48 | $98.96 |
| Premium | $5.08 | $56.87 | $113.74 |
| Diesel | $6.01 | $67.22 | $134.44 |
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 · Oct 13, 2026