How far is Rapid City, SD from Madison, SD?
The driving distance from Rapid City, SD to Madison, SD is about 345.5 miles (556.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 303.8 miles (488.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 44m 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 52m.
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.
Human settlement in Lyman County, South Dakota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rapid City and Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rapid City and Madison.
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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 right to continue on I 90 East: Sioux Falls
1661 ft · 29 sec
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5
Continue straight
292.1 mi · 4 hr 36 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward SD 25: Emery, Farmer
1688 ft · 48 sec
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7
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
23.8 mi · 28 min · SD Highway 25
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8
Turn right onto SD Highway 34
26.6 mi · 38 min · SD Highway 34
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9
Continue on Northwest 2nd Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · Northwest 2nd Street
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10
Turn right onto North Egan Avenue
117 m · 13 sec · North Egan Avenue
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Egan Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rapid City and Madison.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 90 East
Continue straight
292 mi · 04h 36m
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rapid City and Mostly Sunny near Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rapid City to Madison?
The road trip is about 345.5 miles (556.1 km) and usually takes 04h 52m 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?
Presho is a useful midpoint, sitting about 172.7 miles from Rapid City and 172.9 miles from Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 303.8 miles (488.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.7 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 7:16 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.97 one way or $91.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 108.3 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 Madison, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Rapid City and Mostly Sunny near Madison.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rapid City and Madison. Straight-line distance: 303.78 mi (488.89 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 Madison
City in Lake County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 7,064 |
| Coordinates | 44.0060800, -97.1139500 |
| Altitude | 511 |
| Country | United States |
End: 1st Street Northeast (-97.113951, 44.006124)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 556 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $45.97 | $91.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $51.84 | $103.69 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $56.73 | $113.46 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $64.66 | $129.31 |
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.