How far is Spearfish, SD from Watertown, SD?

Fastest route

The distance between Spearfish, SD and Watertown, SD is 332.33 miles (534.62 kilometers) by car, following the I-90 and US-14 E route. The drive time is approximately 6 hours and 18 minutes. The halfway point is Reliance, SD.

Here are some recommended routes from Spearfish to Watertown by car:

  • Route 1: 6 hours and 18 minutes, 332.33 miles
    • US-14 W
    • I-90 W
    • US-14 W
  • Route 2: 6 hours and 23 minutes, 336.8 miles
    • US-14 W
    • I-90 W
    • US-212 W
    • SD-14 S
  • Route 3: 6 hours and 37 minutes, 373.8 miles
    • US-14 W
    • I-90 W
    • US-14 W
    • SD-34 W
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
383.99 mi
06h 36m
Flight
332.35 mi
534.87 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Spearfish.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
332.35 mi
Kilometers
534.87 km
Flight Time
00h 40m

Driving Distance

Road route
383.99 mi
Kilometers
617.97 km
Drive Time
06h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Watertown
Sat, May 2, 8:49 AM CDT
Return by in Spearfish
Sat, May 2, 2:25 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Spearfish
2026-05-02T01:13
Arrive Watertown
Sat, May 2, 7:49 AM MDT
Route Timing
06h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
1:36 PM to 3:06 PM CDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
10:48 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Spearfish
8:00 PM MDT
Overnight-style route

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
Kennebec
SD

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

From Spearfish
225.2 mi
03h 18m
To Watertown
158.8 mi
03h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph W
Destination
62°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    292.1 mi · 4 hr 36 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward SD 25: Emery, Farmer

    1688 ft · 48 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto SD Highway 25

    23.8 mi · 28 min · SD Highway 25

  11. 11

    Turn right onto SD Highway 34

    6 mi · 7 min · SD Highway 34

  12. 12

    Turn left onto SD Highway 25

    60 mi · 1 hr 11 min · SD Highway 25

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 212

    3.9 mi · 6 min · US Highway 212

  14. 14

    Continue on 4th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 4th Street

  15. 15

    Continue on US Highway 212

    10.6 mi · 12 min · US Highway 212

  16. 16

    Continue on 9th Avenue Southwest

    6.4 mi · 9 min · 9th Avenue Southwest

  17. 17

    Turn left onto South Broadway

    1.1 km · 2 min · South Broadway

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Broadway

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90 East
338 mi · 88%
SD Highway 25
83.8 mi · 22%
US Highway 212
14.5 mi · 4%
9th Avenue Southwest
6.41 mi · 2%
SD Highway 34
6.03 mi · 2%
4th Street
1.02 mi
Longest Stretch

I 90 East

Continue straight

292 mi · 04h 36m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
06h 36m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
13h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+51.6 mi
332.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kennebec
03h 18m from Spearfish
Leave By
10:48 PM MDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Spearfish and Sunny near Watertown.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 384 miles (618 km) and usually takes 06h 36m 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?

Kennebec is a useful midpoint, sitting about 225.2 miles from Spearfish and 158.8 miles from Watertown.

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

The direct path is about 332.4 miles (534.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.6 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 $51.10 one way or $102.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 120.4 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Spearfish 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 Spearfish and Sunny near Watertown.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Spearfish and Watertown. Straight-line distance: 332.35 mi (534.87 km).

Spearfish

#1 Spearfish

City in Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States

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

#2 Watertown

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

Population22,303
Coordinates44.8994100, -97.1150700
Altitude528
CountryUnited States
Start: North Main Street (-103.859247, 44.49086)
End: South Broadway (-97.115008, 44.899398)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 618 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)12h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)09h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)07h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)06h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)05h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
13.55 gal
51.29 L · about $51.10
Round trip
$102.19
27.1 gal · 102.58 L
Estimated CO2
120.4 kg one way
Round trip: 240.8 kg / 531 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $51.10 $102.19
Mid-grade $4.25 $57.63 $115.26
Premium $4.65 $63.06 $126.12
Diesel $5.30 $71.87 $143.74

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

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Spearfish, SD and Watertown, SD. The current time in Spearfish is 01:13:13, although it is 02:13:13 in Watertown.

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.