How far is Rapid City, SD from Parkston, SD?
The driving distance from Rapid City, SD to Parkston, SD is about 297.5 miles (478.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 266.1 miles (428.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 50m 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 55m.
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.
Town in South Dakota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rapid City and Parkston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rapid City and Parkston.
-
1
Start on Mount Rushmore Road
1223 ft · 48 sec · Mount Rushmore Road
-
2
Turn left onto Omaha Street
1094 ft · 38 sec · Omaha Street
-
3
Turn right
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
4
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Sioux Falls
1661 ft · 29 sec
-
5
Continue straight
274.2 mi · 4 hr 19 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward Mitchell
1578 ft · 39 sec
-
7
Keep slight right
58 m · 5 sec
-
8
Turn slight right onto South Burr Street
1402 ft · 26 sec · South Burr Street
-
9
Continue on South Highway 37
1 mi · 2 min · South Highway 37
-
10
Continue on SD Highway 37
19 mi · 28 min · SD Highway 37
-
11
Turn left onto West Glynn Drive
1 km · 2 min · West Glynn Drive
-
12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Glynn Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rapid City and Parkston.
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
274 mi · 04h 19m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rapid City and Mostly Cloudy near Parkston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rapid City to Parkston?
The road trip is about 297.5 miles (478.7 km) and usually takes 04h 55m 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?
Draper is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148.4 miles from Rapid City and 149.1 miles from Parkston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 266.1 miles (428.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.4 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 7:10 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.60 one way or $79.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.3 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 Parkston, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Rapid City and Mostly Cloudy near Parkston.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rapid City and Parkston. Straight-line distance: 266.1 mi (428.24 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 Parkston
City in Hitchinson County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 1,456 |
| Coordinates | 43.3988800, -97.9836800 |
| Altitude | 425 |
| Country | United States |
End: Parkston (-97.98368, 43.39888)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 479 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.60 | $79.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.66 | $89.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.87 | $97.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.69 | $111.38 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.