How far is Spearfish, SD from Rapid Valley, SD?

The driving distance from Spearfish, SD to Rapid Valley, SD is about 53.4 miles (86 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 46 miles (74.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 00m 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
53.46 mi
01h 00m
Flight
46.04 mi
74.1 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
46.04 mi
Kilometers
74.1 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
53.46 mi
Kilometers
86.04 km
Drive Time
01h 00m

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 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rapid Valley
Fri, May 1, 10:00 PM MDT
Return by in Spearfish
Fri, May 1, 11:00 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Spearfish
2026-05-01T21:00
Arrive Rapid Valley
Fri, May 1, 10:00 PM MDT
Route Timing
01h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM MDT

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

Leave by
4:30 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
26.7 mi
00h 30m
To Rapid Valley
26.8 mi
00h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph NW
Destination
63°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Spearfish and Rapid Valley.

  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

    14.2 mi · 14 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    7.6 mi · 8 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    23.6 mi · 24 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    3.6 mi · 4 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 16 Truck, ND 79 South: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse

    1209 ft · 30 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right

    637 ft · 17 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Elk Vale Road

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Elk Vale Road

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Concourse Drive

    1148 ft · 38 sec · Concourse Drive

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Twilight Drive

    2441 ft · 1 min · Twilight Drive

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Peanut Lane

    703 ft · 33 sec · Peanut Lane

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Sweetbriar Street

    1311 ft · 58 sec · Sweetbriar Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Sweetbriar Street

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
29.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90 East
49.2 mi · 92%
Elk Vale Road
2.23 mi · 4%
East Jackson Boulevard
0.53 mi · 1%
Twilight Drive
0.46 mi · 1%
US 16 Truck
0.35 mi · 1%
Sweetbriar Street
0.25 mi
Longest Stretch

I 90 East

Continue straight

23.6 mi · 00h 24m

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 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.4 mi
46 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Piedmont
00h 30m from Spearfish
Leave By
4:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Spearfish and Sunny near Rapid Valley.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Spearfish to Rapid Valley?

The road trip is about 53.4 miles (86 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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 26.7 miles from Spearfish and 26.8 miles from Rapid Valley.

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

The direct path is about 46 miles (74.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.4 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 4:30 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.13 one way or $14.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Spearfish and Sunny near Rapid Valley.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Spearfish and Rapid Valley. Straight-line distance: 46.04 mi (74.1 km).

Spearfish

#1 Spearfish

City in Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States

Population11,900
Coordinates44.4908200, -103.8593700
Altitude1112
CountryUnited States
Rapid Valley

#2 Rapid Valley

Census-designated place in Pennington County, South Dakota

Population8,260
Coordinates44.0624900, -103.1462900
Altitude962
CountryUnited States
Start: Spearfish (-103.85937, 44.49082)
End: Rapid Valley (-103.14629, 44.06249)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 86 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.89 gal
7.14 L · about $7.13
Round trip
$14.25
3.78 gal · 14.28 L
Estimated CO2
16.8 kg one way
Round trip: 33.6 kg / 74 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.13 $14.25
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.04 $16.08
Premium $4.65 $8.80 $17.59
Diesel $5.30 $10.02 $20.05

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

There is no time difference between Spearfish and Rapid Valley. The current time is 21:00:18.

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.