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

The driving distance from Rapid City, SD to Oglala, SD is about 78.1 miles (125.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 66.4 miles (106.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 36m 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
78.11 mi
01h 48m
Flight
66.34 mi
106.77 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
66.34 mi
Kilometers
106.77 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
78.11 mi
Kilometers
125.71 km
Drive Time
01h 48m

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 01h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Oglala
Thu, Apr 23, 8:46 AM MDT
Return by in Rapid City
Thu, Apr 23, 10:35 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rapid City
2026-04-23T06:58
Arrive Oglala
Thu, Apr 23, 8:46 AM MDT
Route Timing
01h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:48 AM to 11:48 AM MDT

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

Leave by
2:54 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

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.

Mid-route stop
Fairburn
SD

Town in South Dakota, United States of America

From Rapid City
39 mi
00h 54m
To Oglala
39.1 mi
00h 54m

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
61°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 5:00 AM MDT
Wind
23 to 35 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Mount Rushmore Road

    9 m · 5 sec · Mount Rushmore Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Saint Joseph Street

    2.4 mi · 6 min · Saint Joseph Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Cambell Street

    2448 ft · 54 sec · Cambell Street

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto Cambell Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Cambell Street

  5. 5

    Continue on South Highway 79

    13.6 mi · 16 min · South Highway 79

  6. 6

    Continue on North Heartland Expressway

    1043 ft · 21 sec · North Heartland Expressway

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Main Street

  8. 8

    Continue on SD Highway 40

    20.9 mi · 37 min · SD Highway 40

  9. 9

    Continue on Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 41

    10.5 mi · 12 min · Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 41

  10. 10

    Continue on Red Shirt Table Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Red Shirt Table Road

  11. 11

    Continue on Loneman Day School Road

    6 mi · 7 min · Loneman Day School Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 41

    15.6 mi · 18 min · Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 41

  13. 13

    Continue on Lone Man Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Lone Man Road

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn left

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Turn left

    57 m · 8 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Oglada 3

    44 m · 11 sec · Oglada 3

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Oglada 3

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 41
26 mi · 33%
SD Highway 40
20.9 mi · 27%
South Highway 79
13.6 mi · 17%
Loneman Day School Road
6 mi · 8%
Red Shirt Table Road
3.4 mi · 4%
Saint Joseph Street
2.42 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

SD Highway 40

Continue on SD Highway 40

20.9 mi · 00h 37m

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
01h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.7 mi
66.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fairburn
00h 54m from Rapid City
Leave By
2:54 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Rapid City and Chance Rain Showers near Oglala.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 78.1 miles (125.7 km) and usually takes 01h 48m 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?

Fairburn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39 miles from Rapid City and 39.1 miles from Oglala.

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

The direct path is about 66.4 miles (106.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:54 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.41 one way or $20.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Rapid City and Chance Rain Showers near Oglala.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rapid City and Oglala. Straight-line distance: 66.34 mi (106.77 km).

Rapid City

#1 Rapid City

The second most populous city in South Dakota.

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

#2 Oglala

Census-designated place in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota, United States

Population1,290
Coordinates43.1885900, -102.7396200
Altitude915
CountryUnited States
Start: Rapid City (-103.23101, 44.08054)
End: Oglala (-102.73962, 43.18859)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 126 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.76 gal
10.43 L · about $10.41
Round trip
$20.82
5.52 gal · 20.86 L
Estimated CO2
24.5 kg one way
Round trip: 49.1 kg / 108 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.41 $20.82
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.74 $23.48
Premium $4.65 $12.85 $25.69
Diesel $5.30 $14.64 $29.28

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 Oglala. The current time is 06:58:21.

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.