Origin
Rapid City, SD
Evening in Rapid City on Sunday
Local time
5:09 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
7h 3m
Distance
416.9 mi
671 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$63
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rapid City, SD
Mike Lensing
Webster, SD
Patrick
Crossing the expanse of South Dakota from Rapid City to Webster covers a distance of 416.9 miles. Expect to spend approximately 7 hours and 3 minutes behind the wheel to complete this journey. Because the route is entirely highway-focused, it is feasible as a long, single-day push, though you should budget about $63 for fuel. You will travel exclusively through the Great Plains, keeping you within the same regional landscape for the duration of the trip. Since you remain within state lines, this is a straightforward trek across the heart of South Dakota. Before heading out, ensure you are prepared for a full day of driving to reach your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
208.4 miles from Rapid City, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .
This journey is defined by a heavy reliance on high-speed travel, with highways accounting for 100% of your transit. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-90, which provides a long, uninterrupted stretch of 292.1 miles. Transitioning from the interstate onto SD Highway 34 and SD Highway 25 shifts the rhythm of the drive, requiring more attention as you move onto these secondary roads. You can expect a consistent, highway-focused pace that favors efficiency over technical maneuvering. The road's personality remains steady, offering a reliable path through the open terrain of the state.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and SD Highway 25. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near I 190; US 16.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 3m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (I 190; US 16): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 190): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 294.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto I 190; US 16
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto I 190 toward I 90 East: Sioux Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward SD 25: Emery, Farmer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto SD 25 / SD Highway 25
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto US 212; SD 25 / US Highway 212
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Rapid City, SD to Webster, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Farmer along the way.
Farmer
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 292.1 mi | 4h 35m |
| SD Highway 25 | 115.1 mi | 2h 14m |
| SD Highway 34 | 6 mi | 7m |
| I 190 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| US Highway 212 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Mount Rushmore Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Omaha Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Rapid City, SD and Webster, SD.
Start on US 16
Turn left onto US 16; SD 44
Turn right onto I 190; US 16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 190
Continue on I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79
Take the exit
Turn left onto SD 25
Turn right onto SD 25; SD 34
Turn left onto SD 25
At end of road, turn right onto US 212; SD 25
Turn left onto SD 25
Continue on SD 25
Turn right onto East 7th Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 7-hour drive time, aim for an early morning departure to avoid fatigue during the final leg of your journey. With two planned stops, you can effectively break up the 416.9-mile distance to keep yourself alert. Since the longest stretch is over 292 miles on I-90, prioritize refueling before exiting the interstate to ensure you aren't caught short on the secondary roads. Flexibility is your best asset here, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the shift from I-90 to SD Highway 25 and SD Highway 34. Planning your two breaks around the transition points will help maintain a steady flow throughout your day on the road.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 92 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 208.4 miles or 3h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Webster, SD than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Rapid City, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rapid City, SD
This is one driving day of about 416.9 miles and 7h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 208.4 mi from Rapid City, SD · 3h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
208 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.
A short stop after about 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 208.4 miles from Rapid City, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 292.1 miles.
The final approach into Webster, 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 Webster, SD.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$63.32 one way
$126.65 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $69.81 | $139.61 |
| premium | $4.80 | $78.70 | $157.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $92.62 | $185.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 125.1 | 1 | $43.77 | $20.01 |
| Efficient EV | 104.2 | 1 | $36.48 | $16.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 166.8 | 2 | $58.37 | $26.68 |
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Rapid City on Sunday
Local time
5:09 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Webster on Sunday
Local time
6:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
43°F
Gregory, SD
208 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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