How far is Spearfish, SD from Lead, SD?
The driving distance from Spearfish, SD to Lead, SD is about 18.3 miles (29.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 10.6 miles (17.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 24m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Spearfish and Lead.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spearfish and Lead.
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1
Start on North Main Street
26 m · 30 sec · North Main Street
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2
Continue on North Main Street
51 m · 10 sec · North Main Street
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3
Turn right onto East Jackson Boulevard
2777 ft · 2 min · East Jackson Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 90 East, US 85 South
1555 ft · 38 sec
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5
Merge slight left
5.2 mi · 5 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 85 South: Deadwood, Lead
1645 ft · 42 sec
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7
Turn right onto US Highway 85
7.3 mi · 8 min · US Highway 85
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8
At the end of the road, turn right onto Main Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Main Street
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9
Continue on Pioneer Way
2686 ft · 43 sec · Pioneer Way
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10
Turn left onto Pine Street
125 m · 10 sec · Pine Street
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11
Turn right onto Sherman Street
1 km · 59 sec · Sherman Street
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12
Continue on Cliff Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Cliff Street
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13
Continue on US Highway 85
897 ft · 15 sec · US Highway 85
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14
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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15
Turn right
31 m · 8 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Spearfish and Lead.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
US Highway 85
Turn right onto US Highway 85
7.35 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Spearfish and Sunny near Lead.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Spearfish to Lead?
The road trip is about 18.3 miles (29.5 km) and usually takes 00h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Whitewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.1 miles from Spearfish and 9.2 miles from Lead.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 10.6 miles (17.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:42 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.45 one way or $4.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Spearfish and Sunny near Lead.
Stop Ideas Near Whitewood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Inn
Spearfish, South Dakota
City of Sturgis SD
City of Spearfish Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Whitewood.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Spearfish and Lead. Straight-line distance: 10.64 mi (17.13 km).
#1 Spearfish
City in Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 11,900 |
| Coordinates | 44.4908200, -103.8593700 |
| Altitude | 1112 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lead
City in South Dakota, United States of America
| Population | 2,947 |
| Coordinates | 44.3522100, -103.7652000 |
| Altitude | 1589 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lead (-103.7652, 44.35221)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 30 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.45 | $4.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.76 | $5.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.03 | $6.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.45 | $6.90 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.