Webster, SD to Spearfish, SD is 404.7 miles and takes about 7h 48m via SD Highway 34/63 and US Highway 12, with a fuel budget near $71 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route traverses the Great Plains region of South Dakota, offering a straightforward drive across the state. With 93% of the travel on highways, expect a consistent pace for most of the 7-hour trip. This is a solid option for a single-day drive if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points within South Dakota.
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
202.3 miles from Webster, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 57m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~735 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,140
Quietest
2 AM
~24 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
30.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Webster, SD and Spearfish, SD.
1
Start on East 7th Avenue
13 ft·2 sec·East 7th Avenue
2
Turn right onto SD 25
0.6 mi·47 sec·Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 12
1.0 mi·1 min·West Highway 12
4
Continue on US 12
29 mi·32 min·US Highway 12
5
Continue on US 12
2.6 mi·3 min·East Highway 12
6
Continue on US 12
13 mi·14 min·133rd Street
7
Continue on US 12
1.0 mi·1 min·US Highway 12 East
8
Continue on US 12
5.1 mi·11 min·6th Avenue Southeast
9
Continue on US 12
2.8 mi·3 min·US Highway 12 West
10
Continue on US 12
6.3 mi·7 min·134th Street
11
Continue on US 12
65 mi·1 hr 14 min·US Highway 12
12
Turn left onto US 83; SD 20
31 mi·35 min·US Highway 83
13
Continue on US 83; US 212
36 mi·41 min·US Highway 83
14
Turn right onto US 14; US 83
16 mi·19 min·US 14; US 83
15
Continue on SD 1889
1.0 mi·1 min·North Euclid Avenue
16
Turn left onto SD 1889
0.1 mi·13 sec·South Pierre Street
17
Turn right onto US 14; US 83; SD 34
0.9 mi·1 min·West Sioux Avenue
18
Continue on US 14; US 83; SD 34
0.4 mi·30 sec·North Highway 83
19
Turn right onto US 14; SD 34; SD 1806
1.2 mi·1 min·West Highway 14/34
20
Continue on US 14; SD 34
37 mi·41 min·US Highway 14/34
21
Continue on SD 34; SD 63
134 mi·2 hr 31 min·SD Highway 34/63
22
Continue on SD 34; SD 79
2.3 mi·2 min·Lazelle Street
23
Take the exit onto SD 34
18 mi·17 min·SD 34
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Jackson Boulevard, Black Hills State University
25
Turn left onto East Jackson Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·East Jackson Boulevard
26
Turn left onto I 90 Business
149 ft·14 sec·North Main Street
27
Arrive at destination
I 90 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 7 hour 48 minute estimated drive time, departing Webster in the morning allows ample time to reach Spearfish before evening. You'll have two recommended stops, which are good opportunities to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a town is 133.5 miles on SD Highway 34/63, so ensure your fuel tank is sufficiently full before embarking on that segment. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility in timing your departure and stops to suit your preference.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 202.3 miles from Webster, SD, or about 3h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.5 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 89 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 202.3 miles or 3h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spearfish, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Webster, 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 Webster, SD
This is one driving day of about 404.7 miles and 7h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Webster, SD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on SD Highway 34/63 for about 133.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 403.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SD 25 / Main Street
Turn right onto SD 25 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.6 mi into trip|~0m in|US 12 / West Highway 12
Turn left onto US 12 / West Highway 12
Navigation decision point
4
211.2 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|US 14; US 83; SD 34 / West Sioux Avenue
Turn right onto US 14; US 83; SD 34 / West Sioux Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
386.1 mi into trip|~7h 27m in|SD 34
Take the exit onto SD 34
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
403.7 mi into trip|~7h 45m in
Take the exit toward Jackson Boulevard, Black Hills State University
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Jackson Boulevard, Black Hills State Uni...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.76 one way
$119.53 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg142 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$65.98
$131.96
premium
$4.72
$75.14
$150.28
diesel
$4.80
$76.42
$152.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121.4
1
$42.49
$19.43
Efficient EV
101.2
1
$35.41
$16.19
EV Truck/SUV
161.9
2
$56.66
$25.90
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (67% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Webster, SD
Afternoon
in Webster on Saturday
Local time
2:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
S 8 to 13 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 7:09PM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Destination
Spearfish, SD
Afternoon
in Spearfish on Saturday
Local time
1:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 0 to 3 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 7:09PM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
62°F
Gettysburg, SD
202 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
3 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
7h 48m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 93% of the 404.7 miles on major roads like SD Highway 34/63 and US Highway 12. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 133.5 miles on SD Highway 34/63, so plan your stops accordingly. The transition from highway to surface roads will be minimal, keeping the driving experience largely consistent. Expect straightforward rural cruising for the majority of the trip.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 133.5 mi on SD Highway 34/63.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SD Highway 34/63 and US Highway 12. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SD 25 / Main Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 48m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SD 25 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 12 / West Highway 12): Navigation decision point; at 211.2 miles (US 14; US 83; SD 34 / West Sioux Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Spearfish is in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Although Spearfish is a small community with 14,000 residents, it is the commercial and academic center for several towns in the Black Hills and nearby Wyoming and Montana, attracting more than a million visitors each year with its museums, festivals and natural beauty.
The longest stretch is about 133.5 miles on SD Highway 34/63. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Spearfish, SD before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through SD can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SD 25 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 12 / West Highway 12): Navigation decision point; at 211.2 miles (US 14; US 83; SD 34 / West Sioux Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Spearfish, SD before the return drive.
