How far is Rapid City, SD from Medary, SD?
The driving distance from Rapid City, SD to Medary, SD is about 384.3 miles (618.4 km), with a travel time of about 06h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 319.6 miles (514.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 08m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Town in Lyman County, South Dakota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rapid City and Medary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rapid City and Medary.
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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
338.8 mi · 5 hr 20 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 29: Fargo
1129 ft · 28 sec
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7
Merge slight left
37.5 mi · 35 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Nunda, Ward, Rest Area
1323 ft · 39 sec
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9
Turn left onto 223rd Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · 223rd Street
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10
Turn right onto 471st Avenue
4 mi · 5 min · 471st Avenue
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 471st Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rapid City and Medary.
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
339 mi · 05h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Rapid City and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Medary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rapid City to Medary?
The road trip is about 384.3 miles (618.4 km) and usually takes 06h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Reliance is a useful midpoint, sitting about 191.7 miles from Rapid City and 192.5 miles from Medary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 319.6 miles (514.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 64.7 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $51.13 one way or $102.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 120.5 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 Medary, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Rapid City and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Medary.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rapid City and Medary. Straight-line distance: 319.55 mi (514.27 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 Medary
Township in Brookings County, South Dakota
| Population | 1,504 |
| Coordinates | 44.2096900, -96.7867200 |
| Altitude | 480 |
| Country | United States |
End: Medary (-96.78672, 44.20969)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 618 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $51.13 | $102.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $57.67 | $115.34 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $63.11 | $126.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $71.92 | $143.84 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.