How far is Watertown, SD from Deadwood, SD?

The driving distance from Watertown, SD to Deadwood, SD is about 444.5 miles (715.3 km), with a travel time of about 07h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 327.1 miles (526.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 15h 09m 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
444.46 mi
07h 34m
Flight
327.11 mi
526.43 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
327.11 mi
Kilometers
526.43 km
Flight Time
00h 39m

Driving Distance

Road route
444.46 mi
Kilometers
715.29 km
Drive Time
07h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Deadwood
Tue, Apr 28, 7:14 PM MDT
Return by in Watertown
Wed, Apr 29, 3:48 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Watertown
2026-04-28T12:39
Arrive Deadwood
Tue, Apr 28, 8:14 PM CDT
Route Timing
07h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
12:35 PM to 2:05 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
8:50 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
Kennebec
SD

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

From Watertown
221.8 mi
03h 47m
To Deadwood
222.6 mi
03h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 28 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph NW
Destination
44°F
Tuesday

Snow Showers Likely then Rain And Snow Showers Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 28 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    319.7 mi · 5 hr 4 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 14A West, SD 34 East, SD 79 North: Deadwood, Lead

    897 ft · 24 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Lazelle Street

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Lazelle Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Boulder Canyon Road

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Boulder Canyon Road

  14. 14

    Continue on US Highway 14A

    9.3 mi · 11 min · US Highway 14A

  15. 15

    Continue on Pioneer Way

    2071 ft · 29 sec · Pioneer Way

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Lee Street

    6 m · 1 sec · Lee Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Lee Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
3.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
SD Highway 25
404 mi · 91%
US Highway 212
14.5 mi · 3%
US Highway 14A
9.35 mi · 2%
9th Avenue Southwest
6.41 mi · 1%
SD Highway 34
6.03 mi · 1%
Lazelle Street
1.2 mi
Longest Stretch

SD Highway 25

Merge slight left

320 mi · 05h 04m

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 34m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
15h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+117.4 mi
327.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kennebec
03h 47m from Watertown
Leave By
8:50 PM CDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Watertown and Snow Showers Likely then Rain And Snow Showers Likely near Deadwood.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 444.5 miles (715.3 km) and usually takes 07h 34m 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?

Kennebec is a useful midpoint, sitting about 221.8 miles from Watertown and 222.6 miles from Deadwood.

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

The direct path is about 327.1 miles (526.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 117.4 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 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 $59.13 one way or $118.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 139.3 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Watertown and Snow Showers Likely then Rain And Snow Showers Likely near Deadwood.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Watertown and Deadwood. Straight-line distance: 327.11 mi (526.43 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
Deadwood

#2 Deadwood

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

Population1,294
Coordinates44.3766500, -103.7296400
Altitude1381
CountryUnited States
Start: Watertown (-97.11507, 44.89941)
End: Deadwood (-103.72964, 44.37665)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 715 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)14h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)11h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)08h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)07h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)06h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)05h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
15.68 gal
59.37 L · about $59.13
Round trip
$118.26
31.36 gal · 118.74 L
Estimated CO2
139.3 kg one way
Round trip: 278.7 kg / 614 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $59.13 $118.26
Mid-grade $4.25 $66.69 $133.37
Premium $4.65 $72.97 $145.95
Diesel $5.30 $83.17 $166.33

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 28, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Watertown, SD and Deadwood, SD. The current time in Watertown is 12:39:23, although it is 11:39:23 in Deadwood.

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.