How far is Rapid Valley, SD from Watertown, SD?
The driving distance from Rapid Valley, SD to Watertown, SD is about 356.9 miles (574.3 km), with a travel time of about 06h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 302.8 miles (487.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 01m 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 00m.
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.
Township in Lyman County, South Dakota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rapid Valley and Watertown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rapid Valley and Watertown.
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1
Start on Sweetbriar Street
1311 ft · 1 min · Sweetbriar Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Walnut Street
59 m · 8 sec · Walnut Street
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3
Continue on Peanut Lane
156 m · 28 sec · Peanut Lane
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4
Turn left onto Twilight Drive
1341 ft · 39 sec · Twilight Drive
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5
Turn right onto Jolly Lane
121 m · 16 sec · Jolly Lane
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6
Turn left onto Jubilee Lane
1293 ft · 39 sec · Jubilee Lane
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7
Turn right onto Elk Vale Road
2 mi · 3 min · Elk Vale Road
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8
Take the exit slight right
2710 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
287.7 mi · 4 hr 31 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward SD 25: Emery, Farmer
1688 ft · 48 sec
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11
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
23.8 mi · 28 min · SD Highway 25
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12
Turn right onto SD Highway 34
6 mi · 7 min · SD Highway 34
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13
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
60 mi · 1 hr 11 min · SD Highway 25
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14
At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 212
3.9 mi · 6 min · US Highway 212
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15
Continue on 4th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 4th Street
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16
Continue on US Highway 212
10.6 mi · 12 min · US Highway 212
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17
Continue on 9th Avenue Southwest
6.4 mi · 9 min · 9th Avenue Southwest
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18
Turn left onto South Broadway
1.1 km · 2 min · South Broadway
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rapid Valley and Watertown.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Elk Vale Road
Merge slight left
288 mi · 04h 31m
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.
Sunny leaving Rapid Valley and Mostly Sunny near Watertown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rapid Valley to Watertown?
The road trip is about 356.9 miles (574.3 km) and usually takes 06h 00m 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?
Oacoma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 201.6 miles from Rapid Valley and 155.3 miles from Watertown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 302.8 miles (487.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.1 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 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 $47.48 one way or $94.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 111.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Rapid Valley and Watertown, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rapid Valley and Mostly Sunny near Watertown.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rapid Valley and Watertown. Straight-line distance: 302.81 mi (487.33 km).
#1 Rapid Valley
Census-designated place in Pennington County, South Dakota
| Population | 8,260 |
| Coordinates | 44.0624900, -103.1462900 |
| Altitude | 962 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Watertown
City in and county seat of Codington County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 22,303 |
| Coordinates | 44.8994100, -97.1150700 |
| Altitude | 528 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Broadway (-97.115008, 44.899398)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 574 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $47.48 | $94.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $53.55 | $107.09 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $58.59 | $117.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $66.78 | $133.55 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.