Origin
Deadwood, SD
Evening in Deadwood on Sunday
Local time
7:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Deadwood, SD to Rapid City, SD
Drive Time
46m
Distance
41.6 mi
67 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Deadwood, SD
Alfo Medeiros
Rapid City, SD
Mike Lensing
Trip Overview
Traveling between Deadwood and Rapid City is a straightforward 41.6-mile journey that typically takes about 46 minutes behind the wheel. Because this trip is short, you can easily complete it as a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via SD 79, Main Street, and I-190, keeping you firmly within the Great Plains region for the duration of the trip. With fuel costs estimated at just $6, it is an economical route for travelers moving through South Dakota. Whether you are shifting your home base or simply exploring the area, this efficient connection makes for a stress-free transition between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
20.8 miles from Deadwood, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is distinctly highway-focused, with 70% of your travel occurring on higher-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 27.5 miles along SD 79. Expect a blend of open highway cruising that eventually transitions into the local road network as you approach your destination. The route maintains a consistent pace, allowing you to cover the distance without the fatigue associated with more technical or winding mountain roads. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes direct transit over scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
SD 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 27.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SD 79 and Main Street. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Deadwood, SD to Rapid City, SD is easy. At 46m with 70% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Deadwood Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.1 miles (SD 79): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Main Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Deadwood Street
Turn left onto Deadwood Street
Navigation decision point
4
12.1 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
SD 79
Take the exit onto SD 79
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
39.6 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
I 190
Take the exit onto I 190 toward I 190: Mount Rushmore, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 190: Mount Rushmore, Downtown
7
41.3 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
US 16 / Mount Rushmore Road
Turn right onto US 16 / Mount Rushmore Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SD 79 | 27.5 mi | 28m |
| Main Street | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| I 190 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Boulder Canyon Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Lazelle Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Pioneer Way | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Mount Rushmore Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Omaha Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
SD 79
— 27.5 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Deadwood, SD and Rapid City, SD.
1
Start on Lee Street
184 ft
·
13 sec
·
Lee Street
2
Turn left onto Main Street
344 ft
·
16 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto Deadwood Street
219 ft
·
12 sec
·
Deadwood Street
4
Turn left onto US 14A; US 85
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
Pioneer Way
5
Continue on US 14A; US 85
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Main Street
6
Continue on US 14A
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Boulder Canyon Road
7
Continue on US 14A
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lazelle Street
8
Take the exit onto SD 79
27 mi
·
28 min
·
SD 79
9
Take the exit onto I 190
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 190
Toward I 190: Mount Rushmore, Downtown
10
Turn left onto US 16; SD 44
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Omaha Street
Use the none / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto US 16
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Mount Rushmore Road
Use the right lane.
12
Arrive at destination
US 16
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under an hour, you have significant flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak local traffic. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the 41.6-mile distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Deadwood, though the $6 estimate ensures that even a quick top-off won't break your travel budget. Because there are no mandatory stops required to break up the drive, you can spend more time enjoying your starting point before heading out. Focus on staying alert during the 27.5-mile stretch on SD 79, as this is where you will spend the bulk of your time on the road.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 20.8 miles from Deadwood, SD, or about 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 41.6 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.8 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rapid City, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Deadwood, SD so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Deadwood, SD
This is one driving day of about 41.6 miles and 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Deadwood, SD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on SD 79 for about 27.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.8 mi from Deadwood, SD · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 41.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.8 miles from Deadwood, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Rapid City, SD
The final approach into Rapid City, SD usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Rapid City, SD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.32 one way
$12.64 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.97 | $13.93 |
| premium | $4.80 | $7.85 | $15.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.24 | $18.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.37 | $2.00 |
| Efficient EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.64 | $1.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.82 | $2.66 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Rapid City, SD
Evening in Rapid City on Sunday
Local time
7:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
42°F
Sturgis, SD
21 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
46m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Deadwood, SD to Rapid City, SD covers 41.6 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are SD 79, Main Street, I 190. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.8 miles from Deadwood, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.32 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Deadwood, SD to Rapid City, SD is easy. At 46m with 70% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Deadwood Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.1 miles (SD 79): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Deadwood, SD to Rapid City, SD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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