How far is Rapid City, SD from Deadwood, SD?

The driving distance from Rapid City, SD to Deadwood, SD is about 41.6 miles (67 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.1 miles (51.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
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
41.64 mi
00h 46m
Flight
32.06 mi
51.6 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rapid City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.06 mi
Kilometers
51.6 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
41.64 mi
Kilometers
67.02 km
Drive Time
00h 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 00h 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Deadwood
Thu, Apr 23, 10:08 AM MDT
Return by in Rapid City
Thu, Apr 23, 10:54 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rapid City
2026-04-23T09:21
Arrive Deadwood
Thu, Apr 23, 10:08 AM MDT
Route Timing
00h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:46 AM to 10:46 AM MDT

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

Leave by
4:58 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rapid City
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Piedmont
SD

City in Meade County, South Dakota, United States of America

From Rapid City
20.8 mi
00h 23m
To Deadwood
20.8 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Thursday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
15 to 32 mph NW
Destination
45°F
Thursday

Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
18 to 25 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Rapid City and Deadwood.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rapid City and Deadwood.

  1. 1

    Start on Mount Rushmore Road

    1223 ft · 48 sec · Mount Rushmore Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Omaha Street

    1094 ft · 38 sec · Omaha Street

  3. 3

    Turn right

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Gillette

    1.3 km · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    27 mi · 27 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 14A West, SD 34 East, SD 79 North: Deadwood, Lead

    897 ft · 24 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Lazelle Street

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Lazelle Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Boulder Canyon Road

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Boulder Canyon Road

  9. 9

    Continue on US Highway 14A

    9.3 mi · 11 min · US Highway 14A

  10. 10

    Continue on Pioneer Way

    2071 ft · 29 sec · Pioneer Way

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Lee Street

    6 m · 1 sec · Lee Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Lee Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rapid City and Deadwood.

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
12 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90 West
27.8 mi · 67%
US Highway 14A
9.35 mi · 22%
Lazelle Street
1.2 mi · 3%
Boulder Canyon Road
1.09 mi · 3%
Pioneer Way
0.39 mi · 1%
Mount Rushmore Road
0.23 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 90 West

Merge slight left

27 mi · 00h 27m

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
00h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.5 mi
32.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Piedmont
00h 23m from Rapid City
Leave By
4:58 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Rapid City and Rain And Snow Showers near Deadwood.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Rapid City to Deadwood?

The road trip is about 41.6 miles (67 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?

Piedmont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.8 miles from Rapid City and 20.8 miles from Deadwood.

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

The direct path is about 32.1 miles (51.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:58 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.54 one way or $11.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Rapid City and Rain And Snow Showers near Deadwood.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rapid City and Deadwood. Straight-line distance: 32.06 mi (51.6 km).

Rapid City

#1 Rapid City

The second most populous city in South Dakota.

Population77,503
Coordinates44.0805400, -103.2310100
Altitude988
CountryUnited States
Deadwood

#2 Deadwood

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

Population1,294
Coordinates44.3766500, -103.7296400
Altitude1381
CountryUnited States
Start: Rapid City (-103.23101, 44.08054)
End: Deadwood (-103.72964, 44.37665)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 67 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.47 gal
5.56 L · about $5.54
Round trip
$11.09
2.94 gal · 11.12 L
Estimated CO2
13.1 kg one way
Round trip: 26.1 kg / 58 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.54 $11.09
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.25 $12.50
Premium $4.65 $6.84 $13.68
Diesel $5.30 $7.80 $15.59

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

There is no time difference between Rapid City and Deadwood. The current time is 09:21:51.

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.