How far is Rapid City, SD from Box Elder, SD?
The driving distance from Rapid City, SD to Box Elder, SD is about 10.4 miles (16.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 8.4 miles (13.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 12m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Pennington County, South Dakota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rapid City and Box Elder.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rapid City and Box Elder.
-
1
Start on Mount Rushmore Road
1223 ft · 48 sec · Mount Rushmore Road
-
2
Turn left onto Omaha Street
1094 ft · 38 sec · Omaha Street
-
3
Turn right
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
4
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Sioux Falls
1661 ft · 28 sec
-
5
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward Box Elder, Elisworth AirForce Base, Commercial Gate
1711 ft · 27 sec
-
7
Continue on Box Elder, Elisworth AirForce Base, Commercial Gate
1314 ft · 20 sec
-
8
Continue on Highway 1416
2.1 mi · 3 min · Highway 1416
-
9
Turn right onto Oak Street
111 m · 18 sec · Oak Street
-
10
Turn right onto Front Street
29 m · 4 sec · Front Street
-
11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rapid City and Box Elder.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 90 East
Continue straight
5.62 mi · 00h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rapid City and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Box Elder.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rapid City to Box Elder?
The road trip is about 10.4 miles (16.7 km) and usually takes 00h 12m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rapid Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 5.2 miles from Rapid City and 5.2 miles from Box Elder.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 8.4 miles (13.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:04 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.40 one way or $2.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Rapid City and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Box Elder.
Stop Ideas Near Rapid Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Willow Park
Box Elder City Hall
Box Elder Water Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rapid Valley.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rapid City and Box Elder. Straight-line distance: 8.38 mi (13.48 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 Box Elder
City in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 7,165 |
| Coordinates | 44.1124900, -103.0682300 |
| Altitude | 925 |
| Country | United States |
End: Front Street (-103.068237, 44.112405)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 17 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $1.40 | $2.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $1.57 | $3.15 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $1.72 | $3.44 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $1.96 | $3.92 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.