How far is Yankton, SD from Lead, SD?
The driving distance from Yankton, SD to Lead, SD is about 406.7 miles (654.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 334.5 miles (538.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 26m 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 43m.
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.
Census-designated place in Lyman County, South Dakota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Rain And Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Yankton and Lead.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yankton and Lead.
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1
Start on West 4th Street
15 m · 3 sec · West 4th Street
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2
Turn left onto Broadway Avenue
4.6 mi · 6 min · Broadway Avenue
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3
Continue on US Highway 81
52.5 mi · 1 hr · US Highway 81
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4
Take the exit left
2349 ft · 57 sec
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5
Merge slight left
333.5 mi · 5 hr 17 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 14A West, SD 34 East, SD 79 North: Deadwood, Lead
897 ft · 24 sec
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7
Turn left onto Lazelle Street
1.2 mi · 1 min · Lazelle Street
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8
Continue on Boulder Canyon Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Boulder Canyon Road
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9
Continue on US Highway 14A
9.3 mi · 11 min · US Highway 14A
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10
Continue on Pioneer Way
2686 ft · 43 sec · Pioneer Way
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11
Turn left onto Pine Street
125 m · 10 sec · Pine Street
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12
Turn right onto Sherman Street
1 km · 59 sec · Sherman Street
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13
Continue on Cliff Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Cliff Street
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14
Continue on US Highway 85
897 ft · 15 sec · US Highway 85
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15
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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16
Turn right
31 m · 8 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Yankton and Lead.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US Highway 81
Merge slight left
333 mi · 05h 17m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Yankton and Rain And Snow near Lead.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Yankton to Lead?
The road trip is about 406.7 miles (654.5 km) and usually takes 06h 43m 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?
Vivian is a useful midpoint, sitting about 202.9 miles from Yankton and 203.7 miles from Lead.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 334.5 miles (538.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 72.2 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 $54.11 one way or $108.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 127.5 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Yankton and Lead, 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 Yankton and Rain And Snow near Lead.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Yankton and Lead. Straight-line distance: 334.49 mi (538.31 km).
#1 Yankton
County seat of Yankton County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 14,651 |
| Coordinates | 42.8711100, -97.3972800 |
| Altitude | 368 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lead
City in South Dakota, United States of America
| Population | 2,947 |
| Coordinates | 44.3522100, -103.7652000 |
| Altitude | 1589 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lead (-103.7652, 44.35221)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 654 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $54.11 | $108.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $61.03 | $122.06 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $66.78 | $133.57 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $76.11 | $152.22 |
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.