How far is Rapid City, SD from Keystone, SD?
The driving distance from Rapid City, SD to Keystone, SD is about 20.9 miles (33.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15.8 miles (25.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 00m 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 30m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Pennington County, South Dakota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rapid City and Keystone.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rapid City and Keystone.
-
1
Start on Mount Rushmore Road
5.7 mi · 9 min · Mount Rushmore Road
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2
Continue on South Highway 16
12 mi · 14 min · South Highway 16
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3
Take the exit slight left
2.7 mi · 5 min
-
4
Turn left onto Reed Street
1913 ft · 1 min · Reed Street
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5
Continue on 1st Street
155 m · 20 sec · 1st Street
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6
Turn right
28 m · 7 sec
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7
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rapid City and Keystone.
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.
South Highway 16
Continue on South Highway 16
12 mi · 00h 14m
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.
Sunny leaving Rapid City and Sunny near Keystone.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rapid City to Keystone?
The road trip is about 20.9 miles (33.6 km) and usually takes 00h 30m 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?
Colonial Pine Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.4 miles from Rapid City and 10.4 miles from Keystone.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15.8 miles (25.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.1 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 7:30 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.79 one way or $5.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rapid City and Sunny near Keystone.
Stop Ideas Near Colonial Pine Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Willow Park
Hill City-City Hall
Rapid City City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Colonial Pine Hills.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rapid City and Keystone. Straight-line distance: 15.81 mi (25.45 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 Keystone
Town in Pennington County, South Dakota
| Population | 352 |
| Coordinates | 43.8955400, -103.4182500 |
| Altitude | 1320 |
| Country | United States |
End: Keystone (-103.41825, 43.89554)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 34 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.79 | $5.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.15 | $6.29 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.44 | $6.89 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.92 | $7.85 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.