Drive Time
4h 56m
Distance
240 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
The drive from Watertown, SD to Gregory, SD covers 240 miles and takes about 4h 56m 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 $35.63 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
120 miles from Watertown, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 56m drive with frequent turns across 240 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 9th Avenue Southwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 212 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 4th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 25 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 34 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| SD 45 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 45 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Main Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Watertown, SD and Gregory, SD.
Start on South Broadway
Turn right onto 9th Avenue Southwest
Continue on US Highway 212
Continue on 4th Street
Continue on US Highway 212
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
Turn right onto SD Highway 34
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
Take the ramp right
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward SD 45 South: Platte
Turn left onto SD Highway 45
Continue on North Main Avenue
Turn right onto West 7th Street
Continue on SD Highway 44;West 7th Street
Continue on State Highway 44
Turn left
Turn left onto West 6th Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gregory, SD than in the middle of the route.
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 240 miles and 4h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120 mi from Watertown, SD · 2h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 120 miles from Watertown, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Gregory, 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 Gregory, SD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$35.63 one way
$71.26 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $40.19 | $80.37 |
| premium | $4.65 | $43.97 | $87.95 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $50.12 | $100.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72 | 0 | $25.20 | $11.52 |
| Efficient EV | 60 | 0 | $21.00 | $9.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96 | 1 | $33.60 | $15.36 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Watertown on Saturday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Gregory on Saturday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
40°F
Mitchell, SD
120 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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