How far is Watertown, SD from Blackhawk, SD?

The driving distance from Watertown, SD to Blackhawk, SD is about 411.3 miles (661.9 km), with a travel time of about 07h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 309.3 miles (497.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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
411.29 mi
07h 00m
Flight
309.33 mi
497.82 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Watertown.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
309.33 mi
Kilometers
497.82 km
Flight Time
00h 37m

Driving Distance

Road route
411.29 mi
Kilometers
661.91 km
Drive Time
07h 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 07h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Blackhawk
Thu, Apr 23, 5:38 AM MDT
Return by in Watertown
Thu, Apr 23, 1:38 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Watertown
2026-04-22T23:37
Arrive Blackhawk
Thu, Apr 23, 6:38 AM CDT
Route Timing
07h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
12:01 PM to 1:31 PM MDT

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

Leave by
9:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Watertown
8:00 PM CDT
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
Oacoma
SD

Township in Lyman County, South Dakota

From Watertown
205.3 mi
03h 30m
To Blackhawk
206 mi
03h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 24 mph S
Destination
85°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Broadway

    1.1 km · 2 min · South Broadway

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 9th Avenue Southwest

    6.4 mi · 9 min · 9th Avenue Southwest

  3. 3

    Continue on US Highway 212

    10.6 mi · 12 min · US Highway 212

  4. 4

    Continue on 4th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 4th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on US Highway 212

    3.9 mi · 6 min · US Highway 212

  6. 6

    Turn left onto SD Highway 25

    60 mi · 1 hr 11 min · SD Highway 25

  7. 7

    Turn right onto SD Highway 34

    6 mi · 7 min · SD Highway 34

  8. 8

    Turn left onto SD Highway 25

    23.6 mi · 27 min · SD Highway 25

  9. 9

    Take the ramp right

    1803 ft · 44 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    297.2 mi · 4 hr 42 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Black Hawk

    2356 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Peaceful Pines Road

    1991 ft · 34 sec · Peaceful Pines Road

  13. 13

    Turn slight left

    155 m · 22 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Sturgis Road

    2172 ft · 43 sec · Sturgis Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Sturgis Road

    778 ft · 17 sec · Sturgis Road

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Sturgis Road

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
3.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
SD Highway 25
381 mi · 93%
US Highway 212
14.5 mi · 4%
9th Avenue Southwest
6.41 mi · 2%
SD Highway 34
6.03 mi · 1%
4th Street
1.02 mi
South Broadway
0.66 mi
Longest Stretch

SD Highway 25

Merge slight left

297 mi · 04h 42m

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
07h 00m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
14h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+102 mi
309.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oacoma
03h 30m from Watertown
Leave By
9:58 PM CDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Watertown and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Blackhawk.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 411.3 miles (661.9 km) and usually takes 07h 00m 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?

Oacoma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 205.3 miles from Watertown and 206 miles from Blackhawk.

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

The direct path is about 309.3 miles (497.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 102 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 CDT. 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 $54.72 one way or $109.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 129 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Watertown and Blackhawk, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Watertown and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Blackhawk.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Watertown and Blackhawk. Straight-line distance: 309.33 mi (497.82 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
Blackhawk

#2 Blackhawk

Census-designated place in Meade County, South Dakota

Population2,892
Coordinates44.1511000, -103.3079600
Altitude1065
CountryUnited States
Start: Watertown (-97.11507, 44.89941)
End: Blackhawk (-103.30796, 44.1511)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 662 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)13h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)10h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)08h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)06h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)05h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)05h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
14.51 gal
54.94 L · about $54.72
Round trip
$109.43
29.02 gal · 109.88 L
Estimated CO2
129 kg one way
Round trip: 257.9 kg / 569 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $54.72 $109.43
Mid-grade $4.25 $61.71 $123.42
Premium $4.65 $67.53 $135.06
Diesel $5.30 $76.96 $153.92

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 23, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Watertown, SD and Blackhawk, SD. The current time in Watertown is 23:37:50, although it is 22:37:50 in Blackhawk.

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.