Origin
Watertown, SD
Morning in Watertown on Thursday
Local time
11:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Watertown, SD to Fort Thompson, SD
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
173.3 mi
279 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 32m
★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 10m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 51m
3 PM
3h 55m
5 PM
4h 9m
8 PM
3h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Watertown, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Thompson, SD
Esteban Carriazo
Trip Overview
The drive from Watertown, SD to Fort Thompson, SD covers 173.3 miles and takes about 3h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 9th Avenue Southwest, Highway 212, 4th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.09 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.6 miles from Watertown, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 173.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 45m drive with frequent turns across 173.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
9th Avenue Southwest is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Watertown, SD to Fort Thompson, SD is easy. At 3h 45m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Watertown, SD to Fort Thompson, SD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 9th Avenue Southwest | — | — |
| Highway 212 | — | — |
| 4th Street | — | — |
| Highway 25 | — | — |
| Highway 14 West | — | — |
| East Neosho Street | — | — |
| Highway 14 | — | — |
| Dakota Avenue North | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
9th Avenue Southwest
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watertown, SD and Fort Thompson, SD.
1
Start on South Broadway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Broadway
2
Turn right onto 9th Avenue Southwest
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
9th Avenue Southwest
3
Continue on US Highway 212
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 212
4
Continue on 4th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Street
5
Continue on US Highway 212
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
US Highway 212
6
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
34 mi
·
40 min
·
SD Highway 25
7
Turn right onto US Highway 14 West
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US Highway 14 West
8
Continue on East Neosho Street
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
East Neosho Street
9
Continue on US Highway 14
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US Highway 14
10
Turn left onto Dakota Avenue North
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Dakota Avenue North
11
Continue on SD Highway 37
17 mi
·
19 min
·
SD Highway 37
12
Turn right onto SD Highway 34
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
SD Highway 34
13
Continue on East 7th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East 7th Street
14
Continue on SD Highway 34
57 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
SD Highway 34
15
Keep slight left to continue on SD Highway 249
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
SD Highway 249
16
Turn left onto BIA Route 4
66 ft
·
2 sec
·
BIA Route 4
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 86.6 miles from Watertown, SD, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
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 38 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.6 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Thompson, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Watertown, 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 Watertown, SD
This is one driving day of about 173.3 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Watertown, SD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.6 mi from Watertown, SD · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.6 miles from Watertown, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fort Thompson, SD
The final approach into Fort Thompson, 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 Fort Thompson, 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
$27.09 one way
$54.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.75 | $59.50 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.35 | $66.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.26 | $76.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52 | 0 | $18.20 | $8.32 |
| Efficient EV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.16 | $6.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.3 | 0 | $24.26 | $11.09 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Fort Thompson, SD
Morning in Fort Thompson on Thursday
Local time
11:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Madison, SD
87 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
23 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 45m 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 Watertown, SD to Fort Thompson, SD covers 173.3 miles and takes about 3h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 9th Avenue Southwest, Highway 212, 4th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86.6 miles from Watertown, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.09 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Watertown, SD to Fort Thompson, SD is easy. At 3h 45m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Watertown, SD to Fort Thompson, SD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Watertown, SD to Fort Thompson, SD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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