How far is Rapid City, SD from Gettysburg, SD?
The driving distance from Rapid City, SD to Gettysburg, SD is about 250.3 miles (402.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 173.6 miles (279.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 43m 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 04h 21m.
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.
Township in Jones County, South Dakota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rapid City and Gettysburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rapid City and Gettysburg.
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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
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4
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Sioux Falls
1661 ft · 29 sec
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5
Continue straight
154.8 mi · 2 hr 27 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 83 North, SD 53: Fort Pierre, Pierre State Capitol
2190 ft · 1 min
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7
Turn left onto US Highway 83
30.9 mi · 35 min · US Highway 83
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8
Continue on South 1st Street
1.6 km · 1 min · South 1st Street
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9
Continue on North Deadwood Street
1.1 km · 47 sec · North Deadwood Street
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10
Continue on North Highway 83
2590 ft · 33 sec · North Highway 83
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11
Continue on West Sioux Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · West Sioux Avenue
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12
Turn left onto South Pierre Street
788 ft · 19 sec · South Pierre Street
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13
Continue on South Euclid Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · South Euclid Avenue
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14
Continue on North Highway 14
2.3 mi · 3 min · North Highway 14
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15
Continue on US Highway 14
14.1 mi · 16 min · US Highway 14
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16
Take the exit sharp left
100 m · 9 sec
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17
Merge slight left
36.1 mi · 41 min
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18
Continue on US Highway 212
4.4 mi · 7 min · US Highway 212
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19
Continue on West Garfield Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · West Garfield Avenue
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20
Turn right onto North Exene Street
691 ft · 30 sec · North Exene Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Exene Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rapid City and Gettysburg.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 90 East
Continue straight
155 mi · 02h 27m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers leaving Rapid City and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Gettysburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rapid City to Gettysburg?
The road trip is about 250.3 miles (402.8 km) and usually takes 04h 21m 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?
Okaton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125 miles from Rapid City and 125.3 miles from Gettysburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 173.6 miles (279.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 76.7 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 8:16 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.30 one way or $66.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.5 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Rapid City and Gettysburg, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers around Rapid City and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Gettysburg.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rapid City and Gettysburg. Straight-line distance: 173.62 mi (279.42 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 Gettysburg
Human settlement in Potter County, South Dakota, United States of America
| Population | 1,085 |
| Coordinates | 45.0116500, -99.9556700 |
| Altitude | 629 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gettysburg (-99.95567, 45.01165)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 403 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.30 | $66.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.55 | $75.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.09 | $82.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.83 | $93.67 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.