How far is Watertown, SD from Fort Pierre, SD?

The driving distance from Watertown, SD to Fort Pierre, SD is about 208.3 miles (335.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 164.6 miles (264.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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
208.32 mi
04h 04m
Flight
164.61 mi
264.91 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
164.61 mi
Kilometers
264.91 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
208.32 mi
Kilometers
335.26 km
Drive Time
04h 04m

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 04h 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Pierre
Tue, Jun 2, 3:56 AM MDT
Return by in Watertown
Tue, Jun 2, 9:00 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Watertown
2026-06-02T00:51
Arrive Fort Pierre
Tue, Jun 2, 4:56 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:05 AM to 11:05 AM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:50 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Watertown
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Wolsey
SD

Township in Beadle County, South Dakota

From Watertown
104 mi
02h 02m
To Fort Pierre
104.4 mi
02h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph SSE
Destination
78°F
This Afternoon

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 1:00 PM MDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Watertown and Fort Pierre.

  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

    34.2 mi · 40 min · SD Highway 25

  7. 7

    Turn right onto US Highway 14 West

    14.6 mi · 17 min · US Highway 14 West

  8. 8

    Continue on East Neosho Street

    2746 ft · 36 sec · East Neosho Street

  9. 9

    Continue on US Highway 14

    30.1 mi · 34 min · US Highway 14

  10. 10

    Turn right onto US Highway 281

    2.1 mi · 2 min · US Highway 281

  11. 11

    Continue on Commercial Avenue

    4.5 mi · 5 min · Commercial Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto US Highway 14

    25.2 mi · 29 min · US Highway 14

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Broadway

    1.3 km · 1 min · North Broadway

  14. 14

    Turn left onto West 14th Street

    67.8 mi · 1 hr 17 min · West 14th Street

  15. 15

    Continue on North Highway 14

    2.4 mi · 3 min · North Highway 14

  16. 16

    Continue on North Euclid Avenue

    1.6 km · 2 min · North Euclid Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto South Pierre Street

    564 ft · 14 sec · South Pierre Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West Sioux Avenue

    1.5 km · 1 min · West Sioux Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on North Highway 83

    2600 ft · 36 sec · North Highway 83

  20. 20

    Continue on North Deadwood Street

    1.1 km · 46 sec · North Deadwood Street

  21. 21

    Continue on North 1st Street

    2335 ft · 32 sec · North 1st Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West 14th Street
67.8 mi · 33%
US Highway 14
55.3 mi · 27%
SD Highway 25
34.2 mi · 16%
US Highway 14 West
14.6 mi · 7%
US Highway 212
14.5 mi · 7%
9th Avenue Southwest
6.41 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

West 14th Street

Turn left onto West 14th Street

67.8 mi · 01h 17m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 04m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.7 mi
164.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wolsey
02h 02m from Watertown
Leave By
8:50 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Watertown and Partly Sunny near Fort Pierre.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Watertown to Fort Pierre?

The road trip is about 208.3 miles (335.3 km) and usually takes 04h 04m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Wolsey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104 miles from Watertown and 104.4 miles from Fort Pierre.

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

The direct path is about 164.6 miles (264.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.7 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 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:50 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.72 one way or $55.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.3 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Watertown and Fort Pierre. Straight-line distance: 164.61 mi (264.91 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
Fort Pierre

#2 Fort Pierre

City in South Dakota, United States of America

Population2,236
Coordinates44.3535900, -100.3737400
Altitude437
CountryUnited States
Start: Watertown (-97.11507, 44.89941)
End: Fort Pierre (-100.37374, 44.35359)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 335 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.35 gal
27.83 L · about $27.72
Round trip
$55.43
14.7 gal · 55.66 L
Estimated CO2
65.3 kg one way
Round trip: 130.6 kg / 288 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.72 $55.43
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.26 $62.52
Premium $4.65 $34.21 $68.41
Diesel $5.30 $38.98 $77.97

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 · Jun 02, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Watertown, SD and Fort Pierre, SD. The current time in Watertown is 00:51:44, although it is 23:51:44 in Fort Pierre.

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.