How far is Watertown, SD from Lemmon, SD?
The driving distance from Watertown, SD to Lemmon, SD is about 293.7 miles (472.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 254.9 miles (410.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 05h 44m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Edmunds County, South Dakota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Watertown and Lemmon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watertown and Lemmon.
-
1
Start on South Broadway
885 ft · 34 sec · South Broadway
-
2
Turn left onto 1st Avenue Northwest
1584 ft · 32 sec · 1st Avenue Northwest
-
3
Continue on 4th Street Northwest
125 m · 8 sec · 4th Street Northwest
-
4
Continue on West Kemp Avenue
2673 ft · 57 sec · West Kemp Avenue
-
5
Turn right onto 10th Street Northwest
1.1 km · 1 min · 10th Street Northwest
-
6
Continue on North Highway 20
4.4 mi · 6 min · North Highway 20
-
7
Continue on SD Highway 20
21.5 mi · 25 min · SD Highway 20
-
8
Turn right onto SD Highway 25
16.2 mi · 19 min · SD Highway 25
-
9
Continue on South Main Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
-
10
Turn left onto West Highway 12
1 mi · 1 min · West Highway 12
-
11
Continue on US Highway 12
28.9 mi · 33 min · US Highway 12
-
12
Continue on East Highway 12
2.6 mi · 4 min · East Highway 12
-
13
Continue on 133rd Street
13 mi · 14 min · 133rd Street
-
14
Continue on US Highway 12 East
1 mi · 1 min · US Highway 12 East
-
15
Continue on 6th Avenue Southeast
5.1 mi · 12 min · 6th Avenue Southeast
-
16
Continue on US Highway 12 West
2.8 mi · 3 min · US Highway 12 West
-
17
Continue on 134th Street
6.3 mi · 7 min · 134th Street
-
18
Continue on US Highway 12
68.9 mi · 1 hr 18 min · US Highway 12
-
19
Continue on Highway 12 & 83
1.5 km · 1 min · Highway 12 & 83
-
20
Continue on US Highway 12
18.6 mi · 21 min · US Highway 12
-
21
Continue on East Grand Crossing
3.4 mi · 4 min · East Grand Crossing
-
22
Continue on US Highway 12
89.8 mi · 1 hr 42 min · US Highway 12
-
23
Continue straight
5.7 mi · 7 min
-
24
Turn right onto Main Avenue
2146 ft · 59 sec · Main Avenue
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watertown and Lemmon.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US Highway 12
Continue on US Highway 12
89.8 mi · 01h 42m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Watertown and Light Rain Likely near Lemmon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Watertown to Lemmon?
The road trip is about 293.7 miles (472.6 km) and usually takes 05h 44m 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?
Bowdle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.5 miles from Watertown and 147.1 miles from Lemmon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 254.9 miles (410.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.8 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 5:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.07 one way or $78.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Watertown and Lemmon, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Watertown and Light Rain Likely near Lemmon.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watertown and Lemmon. Straight-line distance: 254.94 mi (410.29 km).
#1 Watertown
City in and county seat of Codington County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 22,303 |
| Coordinates | 44.8994100, -97.1150700 |
| Altitude | 528 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lemmon
City in South Dakota, United States of America
| Population | 1,160 |
| Coordinates | 45.9408300, -102.1593200 |
| Altitude | 783 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lemmon (-102.15932, 45.94083)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 473 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.07 | $78.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.06 | $88.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.22 | $96.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $54.95 | $109.90 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.