How far is Sturgis, SD from Lead, SD?
The driving distance from Sturgis, SD to Lead, SD is about 17 miles (27.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.2 miles (21.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 43m 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 21m.
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 and county seat of 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 Sturgis and Lead.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sturgis and Lead.
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1
Start on Edmunds Street
4 m · 3 sec · Edmunds Street
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2
Turn right onto Junction Avenue
2100 ft · 47 sec · Junction Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Lazelle Street
2.4 mi · 3 min · Lazelle Street
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4
Continue on Boulder Canyon Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Boulder Canyon Road
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5
Continue on US Highway 14A
9.3 mi · 11 min · US Highway 14A
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6
Continue on Pioneer Way
2686 ft · 43 sec · Pioneer Way
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7
Turn left onto Pine Street
125 m · 10 sec · Pine Street
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8
Turn right onto Sherman Street
1 km · 59 sec · Sherman Street
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9
Continue on Cliff Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Cliff Street
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10
Continue on US Highway 85
897 ft · 15 sec · US Highway 85
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11
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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12
Turn right
31 m · 8 sec
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sturgis 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 14A
Continue on US Highway 14A
9.35 mi · 00h 11m
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 Sturgis and Sunny near Lead.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sturgis to Lead?
The road trip is about 17 miles (27.4 km) and usually takes 00h 21m 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?
Deadwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.5 miles from Sturgis and 8.5 miles from Lead.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.2 miles (21.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.8 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 7:46 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.26 one way or $4.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sturgis and Sunny near Lead.
Stop Ideas Near Deadwood
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 Deadwood.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sturgis and Lead. Straight-line distance: 13.25 mi (21.33 km).
#1 Sturgis
City in and county seat of Meade County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 6,978 |
| Coordinates | 44.4097100, -103.5090800 |
| Altitude | 1043 |
| 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: 27 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.26 | $4.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.55 | $5.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.79 | $5.58 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.18 | $6.36 |
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.