Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
58m
Distance
41.1 mi
66 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Custer, SD
Patrick
Rapid City, SD
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 41.1-mile drive from Custer to Rapid City, South Dakota, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 58 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on South Highway 16 and Highway 385, which merge into US Highway 16/385 for a significant portion. The route is almost entirely highway, making it a quick and efficient journey. With an estimated fuel cost of just $6, this is a budget-friendly option for connecting these two Great Plains towns. There are no designated stops included, suggesting a direct transit experience.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Highway 16 | 17.7 mi | 21m |
| Highway 385 | 9.2 mi | 13m |
| US Highway 16/385 | 6 mi | 7m |
| Mount Rushmore Road | 5.8 mi | 9m |
| North 5th Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Railroad Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Custer, SD and Rapid City, SD.
Start on US 16A; SD 89
Turn right onto US 16; US 385
Continue on US 16; US 385
Continue on US 16; US 385
Continue on US 16; US 385
Take the exit onto US 16 Truck; US 385 Truck
Turn right onto US 16; US 385
Continue on US 16; US 385
Continue on US 16; US 385
Continue on US 16
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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.
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 20.6 miles from Custer, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
2 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 13.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 16; US 385 / North 5th Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit onto US 16 Truck; US 385 Truck / Railroad Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Regular Gas
$6.43 one way
$12.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.05 | $14.11 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.91 | $15.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.07 | $18.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.32 | $1.97 |
| Efficient EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.60 | $1.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.75 | $2.63 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Custer on Saturday
Local time
10:16 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Isolated Snow Showers
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 1:10AM MDT until April 18 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Destination
Night in Rapid City on Saturday
Local time
10:16 PM
MDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
43°F
Hill City, SD
21 mi in
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a highway-focused drive for 80% of this route. The road itself is largely characterized by South Highway 16 and then US Highway 16/385, offering a consistent driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 17.7 miles on South Highway 16, providing a good opportunity to settle in. While the profile is primarily highway, it's not necessarily an interstate grind, allowing for a more relaxed pace. The landscape remains consistent as you travel through the Great Plains region.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Highway 16 and Highway 385. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 16; US 385 / North 5th Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Custer, SD to Rapid City, SD is easy. At 58m with 80% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 16; US 385 / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.5 miles (US 16 Truck; US 385 Truck / Railroad Avenue): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 58m. Total distance: 41.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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