How far is Springfield, SD from Watertown, SD?

The driving distance from Springfield, SD to Watertown, SD is about 182.9 miles (294.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 146.6 miles (235.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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
182.96 mi
03h 13m
Flight
146.58 mi
235.9 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Springfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
146.58 mi
Kilometers
235.9 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
182.96 mi
Kilometers
294.45 km
Drive Time
03h 13m

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 03h 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Watertown
Wed, Apr 22, 10:12 PM CDT
Return by in Springfield
Thu, Apr 23, 1:25 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Springfield
2026-04-22T18:58
Arrive Watertown
Wed, Apr 22, 10:12 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:13 AM to 11:13 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:34 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Springfield
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Hartford
SD

City in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, United States

From Springfield
106.6 mi
01h 36m
To Watertown
76.3 mi
01h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph S
Destination
85°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 24 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 8th Street

    1226 ft · 34 sec · 8th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Walnut Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · Walnut Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto SD Highway 37

    2.9 mi · 5 min · SD Highway 37

  4. 4

    Turn right onto SD Highway 52

    12.3 mi · 22 min · SD Highway 52

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto SD Highway 50

    11.6 mi · 17 min · SD Highway 50

  6. 6

    Continue on West 31st Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · West 31st Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Broadway Avenue

    2 mi · 2 min · Broadway Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on US Highway 81

    52.3 mi · 59 min · US Highway 81

  9. 9

    Take the exit right

    1994 ft · 49 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    32.2 mi · 31 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 29: Fargo

    1129 ft · 28 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    93.5 mi · 1 hr 28 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 212: Watertown, Kranzburg

    1564 ft · 38 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto US 212: Watertown

    41 m · 4 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto 9th Avenue Southeast

    3138 ft · 1 min · 9th Avenue Southeast

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Willow Creek Drive Southeast

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Willow Creek Drive Southeast

  17. 17

    Continue on 1st Avenue Northeast

    1.4 mi · 3 min · 1st Avenue Northeast

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Broadway

    885 ft · 26 sec · North Broadway

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Broadway

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 29
93.7 mi · 51%
US Highway 81
84.8 mi · 46%
SD Highway 52
12.3 mi · 7%
SD Highway 50
11.6 mi · 6%
SD Highway 37
2.9 mi · 2%
Broadway Avenue
2.01 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 29

Merge slight left

93.5 mi · 01h 28m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 13m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.3 mi
146.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hartford
01h 36m from Springfield
Leave By
10:34 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Springfield 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 Springfield to Watertown?

The road trip is about 182.9 miles (294.4 km) and usually takes 03h 13m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Hartford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.6 miles from Springfield and 76.3 miles from Watertown.

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

The direct path is about 146.6 miles (235.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.3 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 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:34 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.36 one way or $48.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Springfield and Mostly Sunny near Watertown.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Watertown. Straight-line distance: 146.58 mi (235.9 km).

Springfield

#1 Springfield

City in South Dakota, United States of America

Population1,916
Coordinates42.8541700, -97.8972900
Altitude396
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: 8th Street (-97.89729, 42.854208)
End: South Broadway (-97.115008, 44.899398)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 294 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 39m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.46 gal
24.44 L · about $24.36
Round trip
$48.72
12.92 gal · 48.88 L
Estimated CO2
57.4 kg one way
Round trip: 114.8 kg / 253 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.36 $48.72
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.47 $54.95
Premium $4.65 $30.06 $60.13
Diesel $5.30 $34.26 $68.53

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Springfield and Watertown. The current time is 18:58:57.

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.