How far is Watertown, SD from Crooks, SD?

The driving distance from Watertown, SD to Crooks, SD is about 98 miles (157.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 86.6 miles (139.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 20m 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
97.98 mi
01h 40m
Flight
86.63 mi
139.41 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
86.63 mi
Kilometers
139.41 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
97.98 mi
Kilometers
157.69 km
Drive Time
01h 40m

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 01h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Crooks
Thu, Apr 16, 1:59 AM CDT
Return by in Watertown
Thu, Apr 16, 3:39 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Watertown
2026-04-16T00:19
Arrive Crooks
Thu, Apr 16, 1:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:40 AM to 11:40 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:10 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
Brookings
SD

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

From Watertown
49 mi
00h 50m
To Crooks
49 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 17 mph S
Destination
83°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    90.9 mi · 1 hr 25 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward Renner, Crooks

    1513 ft · 39 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto 258th Street

    1.9 mi · 4 min · 258th Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto 470th Avenue

    2096 ft · 57 sec · 470th Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on South West Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · South West Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Superior Avenue

    30 m · 4 sec · Superior Avenue

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Superior Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-29
91.2 mi · 93%
258th Street
1.93 mi · 2%
1st Avenue Northeast
1.42 mi · 1%
Willow Creek Drive Southeast
1.12 mi · 1%
South West Avenue
0.94 mi · 1%
9th Avenue Southeast
0.48 mi
Longest Stretch

I-29

Merge slight left

90.9 mi · 01h 25m

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
01h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.4 mi
86.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brookings
00h 50m from Watertown
Leave By
3:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Watertown and Sunny near Crooks.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 98 miles (157.7 km) and usually takes 01h 40m 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?

Brookings is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49 miles from Watertown and 49 miles from Crooks.

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

The direct path is about 86.6 miles (139.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.4 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 3:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.05 one way or $26.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Watertown and Sunny near Crooks.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Watertown and Crooks. Straight-line distance: 86.63 mi (139.41 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
Crooks

#2 Crooks

City in South Dakota, United States of America

Population1,341
Coordinates43.6647000, -96.8108900
Altitude484
CountryUnited States
Start: Watertown (-97.11507, 44.89941)
End: Crooks (-96.81089, 43.6647)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 158 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.46 gal
13.09 L · about $13.05
Round trip
$26.10
6.92 gal · 26.18 L
Estimated CO2
30.7 kg one way
Round trip: 61.5 kg / 136 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.05 $26.10
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.72 $29.43
Premium $4.65 $16.10 $32.21
Diesel $5.30 $18.35 $36.70

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Watertown and Crooks. The current time is 00:19:40.

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.