How far is Watertown, SD from Beresford, SD?

The driving distance from Watertown, SD to Beresford, SD is about 135.1 miles (217.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 126.8 miles (204.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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
135.17 mi
02h 14m
Flight
126.81 mi
204.08 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Watertown.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
126.81 mi
Kilometers
204.08 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
135.17 mi
Kilometers
217.54 km
Drive Time
02h 14m

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 02h 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Beresford
Sat, Apr 18, 6:35 AM CDT
Return by in Watertown
Sat, Apr 18, 8:49 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Watertown
2026-04-18T04:21
Arrive Beresford
Sat, Apr 18, 6:35 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:14 AM to 12:14 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:02 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Watertown
9:30 PM CDT
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
Lone Tree
SD

Township in Perkins County, South Dakota

From Watertown
67.6 mi
01h 07m
To Beresford
67.5 mi
01h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
39°F
Saturday

Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 24 mph NW
Destination
48°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Broadway

    885 ft · 31 sec · South Broadway

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 1st Avenue Northeast

    1.4 mi · 3 min · 1st Avenue Northeast

  3. 3

    Continue on Willow Creek Drive Southeast

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Willow Creek Drive Southeast

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 9th Avenue Southeast

    2518 ft · 50 sec · 9th Avenue Southeast

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-29: Brookings

    1582 ft · 39 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    129.9 mi · 2 hr 4 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right

    1690 ft · 47 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West Cedar Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · West Cedar Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto North 3rd Street

    1148 ft · 37 sec · North 3rd Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    35 m · 5 sec · East Main Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
11 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-29
131 mi · 97%
1st Avenue Northeast
1.42 mi · 1%
West Cedar Street
1.18 mi · 1%
Willow Creek Drive Southeast
1.12 mi · 1%
9th Avenue Southeast
0.48 mi
North 3rd Street
0.22 mi
Longest Stretch

I-29

Merge slight left

130 mi · 02h 04m

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
02h 14m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.3 mi
126.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lone Tree
01h 07m from Watertown
Leave By
2:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Snow Showers leaving Watertown and Slight Chance Snow Showers near Beresford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 135.1 miles (217.5 km) and usually takes 02h 14m 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?

Lone Tree is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.6 miles from Watertown and 67.5 miles from Beresford.

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

The direct path is about 126.8 miles (204.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.99 one way or $35.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Watertown and Slight Chance Snow Showers near Beresford.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Watertown and Beresford. Straight-line distance: 126.81 mi (204.08 km).

Watertown

#1 Watertown

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

Population22,303
Coordinates44.8994100, -97.1150700
Altitude528
CountryUnited States
Beresford

#2 Beresford

City in South Dakota, United States of America

Population1,609
Coordinates43.0805400, -96.7736600
Altitude457
CountryUnited States
Start: Watertown (-97.11507, 44.89941)
End: Beresford (-96.77366, 43.08054)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 218 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.77 gal
18.06 L · about $17.99
Round trip
$35.98
9.54 gal · 36.12 L
Estimated CO2
42.4 kg one way
Round trip: 84.8 kg / 187 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.99 $35.98
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.29 $40.57
Premium $4.65 $22.20 $44.40
Diesel $5.30 $25.30 $50.60

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Watertown and Beresford. The current time is 04:21:01.

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.