How far is Spearfish, SD from Custer, SD?

The driving distance from Spearfish, SD to Custer, SD is about 71.1 miles (114.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.7 miles (83.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 26m 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
71.11 mi
01h 43m
Flight
51.68 mi
83.17 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Spearfish.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.68 mi
Kilometers
83.17 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
71.11 mi
Kilometers
114.44 km
Drive Time
01h 43m

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 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Custer
Thu, Apr 23, 2:48 AM MDT
Return by in Spearfish
Thu, Apr 23, 4:31 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Spearfish
2026-04-23T01:05
Arrive Custer
Thu, Apr 23, 2:48 AM MDT
Route Timing
01h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:43 AM to 11:43 AM MDT

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

Leave by
3:04 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Spearfish
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
Piedmont
SD

City in Meade County, South Dakota, United States of America

From Spearfish
35.5 mi
00h 51m
To Custer
35.6 mi
00h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Thursday

Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
25 to 33 mph W
Destination
48°F
Thursday

Rain And Snow Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
15 to 23 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Spearfish and Custer.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Spearfish and Custer.

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    26 m · 30 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on North Main Street

    51 m · 10 sec · North Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Jackson Boulevard

    2777 ft · 2 min · East Jackson Boulevard

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward I 90 East, US 85 South

    1555 ft · 38 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    5.2 mi · 5 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 85 South: Deadwood, Lead

    1645 ft · 42 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto US Highway 85

    7.3 mi · 8 min · US Highway 85

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Main Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Pioneer Way

    2686 ft · 43 sec · Pioneer Way

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Pine Street

    125 m · 10 sec · Pine Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Sherman Street

    1 km · 59 sec · Sherman Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Cliff Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Cliff Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto US Highway 385

    19.8 mi · 29 min · US Highway 385

  14. 14

    Continue on Highway 385

    16.7 mi · 25 min · Highway 385

  15. 15

    Take the ramp straight

    117 m · 7 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Highway 385

    3 mi · 5 min · Highway 385

  17. 17

    Continue on East Main Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · East Main Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Highway 385

    6.1 mi · 8 min · Highway 385

  19. 19

    Continue on US Highway 16/385

    6 mi · 8 min · US Highway 16/385

  20. 20

    Continue on North 5th Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · North 5th Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Mount Rushmore Road

    128 m · 10 sec · Mount Rushmore Road

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Mount Rushmore Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Spearfish and Custer.

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
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Highway 385
25.9 mi · 36%
US Highway 385
19.8 mi · 28%
US Highway 85
7.35 mi · 10%
US Highway 16/385
5.96 mi · 8%
I 90 East
5.48 mi · 8%
East Main Street
1.38 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 385

Turn left onto US Highway 385

19.8 mi · 00h 29m

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 43m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.4 mi
51.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Piedmont
00h 51m from Spearfish
Leave By
3:04 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain And Snow Showers leaving Spearfish and Rain And Snow Likely near Custer.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Spearfish to Custer?

The road trip is about 71.1 miles (114.4 km) and usually takes 01h 43m 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?

Piedmont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.5 miles from Spearfish and 35.6 miles from Custer.

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

The direct path is about 51.7 miles (83.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:04 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.47 one way or $18.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain And Snow Showers around Spearfish and Rain And Snow Likely near Custer.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Spearfish and Custer. Straight-line distance: 51.68 mi (83.17 km).

Spearfish

#1 Spearfish

City in Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States

Population11,900
Coordinates44.4908200, -103.8593700
Altitude1112
CountryUnited States
Custer

#2 Custer

City in and county seat of Custer County, South Dakota, United States

Population1,926
Coordinates43.7666500, -103.5988100
Altitude1620
CountryUnited States
Start: Spearfish (-103.85937, 44.49082)
End: Custer (-103.59881, 43.76665)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 114 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.51 gal
9.5 L · about $9.47
Round trip
$18.93
5.02 gal · 19 L
Estimated CO2
22.3 kg one way
Round trip: 44.6 kg / 98 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.47 $18.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.68 $21.35
Premium $4.65 $11.68 $23.36
Diesel $5.30 $13.31 $26.63

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 Spearfish and Custer. The current time is 01:05:49.

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.