How far is Watertown, SD from Rapid Valley, SD?
The driving distance from Watertown, SD to Rapid Valley, SD is about 404.1 miles (650.3 km), with a travel time of about 06h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 302.8 miles (487.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 54m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Lyman County, South Dakota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Watertown and Rapid Valley.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watertown and Rapid Valley.
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1
Start on South Broadway
1.1 km · 2 min · South Broadway
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2
Turn right onto 9th Avenue Southwest
6.4 mi · 9 min · 9th Avenue Southwest
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3
Continue on US Highway 212
10.6 mi · 12 min · US Highway 212
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4
Continue on 4th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 4th Street
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5
Continue on US Highway 212
3.9 mi · 6 min · US Highway 212
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6
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
60 mi · 1 hr 11 min · SD Highway 25
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7
Turn right onto SD Highway 34
6 mi · 7 min · SD Highway 34
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8
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
23.6 mi · 27 min · SD Highway 25
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9
Take the ramp right
1803 ft · 44 sec
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10
Merge slight left
287.7 mi · 4 hr 31 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 16 Truck, ND 79 South: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse
1470 ft · 36 sec
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12
Keep slight left
869 ft · 23 sec
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13
Continue on North Elk Vale Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · North Elk Vale Road
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14
Turn left onto Concourse Drive
1148 ft · 38 sec · Concourse Drive
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15
Turn left onto Twilight Drive
2441 ft · 1 min · Twilight Drive
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16
Turn right onto Peanut Lane
703 ft · 33 sec · Peanut Lane
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17
Turn right onto Sweetbriar Street
1311 ft · 58 sec · Sweetbriar Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sweetbriar Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watertown and Rapid Valley.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
SD Highway 25
Merge slight left
288 mi · 04h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Watertown and Sunny near Rapid Valley.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Watertown to Rapid Valley?
The road trip is about 404.1 miles (650.3 km) and usually takes 06h 54m 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 201.7 miles from Watertown and 202.4 miles from Rapid Valley.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 302.8 miles (487.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 101.3 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 $53.77 one way or $107.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 126.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Watertown and Rapid Valley, 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 Sunny near Rapid Valley.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watertown and Rapid Valley. Straight-line distance: 302.81 mi (487.33 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 Rapid Valley
Census-designated place in Pennington County, South Dakota
| Population | 8,260 |
| Coordinates | 44.0624900, -103.1462900 |
| Altitude | 962 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rapid Valley (-103.14629, 44.06249)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 650 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $53.77 | $107.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $60.65 | $121.30 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $66.37 | $132.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $75.64 | $151.27 |
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 · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.