Mount Rushmore sits about 50 miles from Deadwood South Dakota, and most drivers cover the distance in around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The distance between Deadwood and Mount Rushmore looks short on a map, yet curves, grades, and busy summer traffic can stretch that single line of highway. When you know the real mileage, drive time, and road options, you can build a day that feels relaxed instead of rushed.
How Far Is Mount Rushmore From Deadwood South Dakota?
By road, Deadwood and Mount Rushmore sit about 48 to 50 miles apart. In light traffic on dry pavement the drive usually takes around 1 hour and 10 to 15 minutes, so planning for a little more than an hour behind the wheel in each direction works well.
The exact number on your odometer depends on where you start in Deadwood, how you join the main highways, and whether you choose the fastest or most scenic line to the memorial. For hotel check-out times and ticket windows, though, the 50 mile and 75 minute figures are reliable.
Distance And Time Snapshot
| Trip Style | Distance | Drive Time* |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Drive, No Stops | 48–50 miles | 1 hr 10–15 min |
| Direct Drive, Light Traffic | 48–50 miles | About 1 hr |
| Drive With One Scenic Stop | 50–55 miles | 1 hr 30–1 hr 45 min |
| Slow Sightseeing Drive | 55–70 miles | 3–5 hrs total |
| Winter Drive On Snow | 48–50 miles | 1 hr 30–2 hrs |
| Shuttle Or Tour Bus | Similar to car | 1 hr 15–1 hr 45 min |
| Loop With Other Hills Stops | 90–130 miles | Full day |
*Times assume normal traffic and no long delays.
Driving Distance Between Mount Rushmore And Deadwood South Dakota
When travelers ask, “How far is Mount Rushmore from Deadwood South Dakota?” they usually care about road time at least as much as straight-line miles. The answer depends on which mix of interstates and scenic roads you follow through the northern and central Black Hills.
Main Highways On The Route
Many drivers link the towns by heading from Deadwood toward Sturgis and Rapid City on I-90, then turning south toward Keystone and the memorial. Others drop south on US 385 through the trees and lakes of the Central Hills before meeting US 16 and South Dakota Highway 244, which leads directly to the entrance.
Highway 244 is a short state route that connects US 16 and US 385 and forms part of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway. The last miles into the parking area are curving and slow, yet the view opens up step by step as you approach the sculpture.
Scenic Versus Fast Route Choices
Drivers who value extra viewpoints and quiet forest stretches favor the slightly longer path via US 385, Hill City, and nearby lakes. You can also swing past turnoffs for Custer State Park, though those side trips quickly add both miles and minutes to the 50 mile link between Deadwood and Mount Rushmore.
Travelers on a tight schedule often stay closer to I-90 and the larger highways between Deadwood, Rapid City, and Keystone. That route trims some curves and small-town speed limits, which can save twenty to thirty minutes over the course of a round trip.
Timing Your Deadwood And Mount Rushmore Day Trip
Because the distance between Deadwood and Mount Rushmore is short, many visitors fit both places into one day. The drive only feels rushed when you stack it on top of a late start, big crowds, and a long list of stops around the hills.
Best Time Of Day To Drive
Summer brings heavy traffic to both Deadwood and the memorial, especially from late morning through midafternoon. Mount Rushmore sees more than two million visitors per year, and official guidance suggests reaching the site before 9:00 a.m. or after midafternoon during the busiest months to limit lines and parking delays.
If you stay in Deadwood, leaving between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. gets you to Mount Rushmore near opening time, with space to walk the Grand View Terrace and Presidential Trail before midday crowds arrive. After a few hours on site and lunch in Keystone, you can roll back toward Deadwood with time left for museums, tours, or dinner.
Seasonal Weather And Road Conditions
The Black Hills can see snow and ice from autumn through spring, and short storms in other seasons. Those conditions easily add twenty to thirty minutes to the normal drive between Deadwood and Mount Rushmore, especially on shaded grades and bridges.
Before a winter or shoulder-season drive, check official South Dakota road information for closures, advisories, and live camera views. The state’s road construction and travel condition tools link directly to the SD511 system so you can spot trouble areas before you pull out of Deadwood or Keystone.
How Many Days To Plan
If your schedule is tight, you can base in either town and visit the other as a single day trip, since the 50 miles between them are easy to cover in both directions. Travelers with extra nights often split their stay, spending time in Deadwood and then moving closer to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park.
How To Plan A One-Day Loop Between Deadwood And Mount Rushmore
With around 2.5 hours of total drive time on a typical day, a full loop between Deadwood and Mount Rushmore leaves several open hours for sights. The sample schedule below assumes a Deadwood base and a relaxed pace with just one or two short scenic pauses along the way.
Sample Day Trip From Deadwood
This outline shows how the 50 miles between Deadwood and Mount Rushmore fit into a day that includes the memorial, Keystone, and an evening back in Deadwood. Adjust the clock for your own start time and season, but keep the spacing similar so you never feel squeezed.
Deadwood To Mount Rushmore Sample Timing
| Segment | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Depart Deadwood | 8:00 a.m. | Fill the tank and pack snacks |
| Drive Toward Mount Rushmore | 1 hr 10–15 min | Optional short photo stop |
| Arrive At Mount Rushmore | 9:15–9:30 a.m. | Walk the Grand View Terrace |
| Visit Memorial And Exhibits | 2–3 hrs | Include the Presidential Trail |
| Lunch In Keystone | 12:00–1:00 p.m. | Pick a cafe or diner |
| Return Drive To Deadwood | 1 hr 15–1 hr 30 min | Use a scenic variant if weather is clear |
| Arrive Back In Deadwood | Midafternoon | Time for museums or dinner |
Starting From A Mount Rushmore Base
If you stay near Mount Rushmore or in Keystone, reverse the route. Spend the morning walking Deadwood’s main streets, touring historic sites, and enjoying lunch, then drive the 50 miles back toward the memorial in time for an evening lighting program or a quieter late-day visit.
Alternatives To Driving Yourself
Some visitors prefer to relax between Deadwood and Mount Rushmore instead of driving. Shuttle and tour operators in the Black Hills run regular circuits that cover the same 48 to 50 mile stretch, often with photo stops and stories from local guides.
Shuttles And Tours
Small-group tours commonly link Deadwood, Hill City, Keystone, and the memorial on a fixed schedule. These rides work well for families, larger friend groups, and anyone uneasy about snow, fog, or night driving on curving mountain roads.
Taxi And Ride Options
Local taxi companies also offer point-to-point transfers between Deadwood and the Mount Rushmore area. The 50 mile distance means fares can add up, especially round-trip, and rideshare coverage is patchy, so reservations are safer than last-minute app requests.
Practical Tips For The Drive Between Deadwood And Mount Rushmore
Even with a modest distance, the drive between Deadwood and Mount Rushmore feels smoother when you think about fuel, parking, weather, and food stops in advance. A few simple habits turn the 50 miles into a pleasant part of your Black Hills visit.
Fuel, Food, And Rest Stops
Fill the tank in Deadwood, Keystone, or Hill City before you commit to smaller forest roads, especially during winter or at night. Pack water and simple snacks so passengers stay comfortable when traffic slows near construction zones, viewing pullouts, or tight curves.
Hill City and Keystone both sit close to the main route and offer coffee shops, restaurants, and grocery stops. A short break in one of these towns makes the drive between Deadwood and Mount Rushmore feel shorter and breaks the day into easy segments for kids.
Parking, Fees, And Official Information
Entrance to Mount Rushmore National Memorial is free, but there is a parking fee at the large on-site garage. Before you set off, review current operating hours, parking details, and possible alerts through official National Park Service visitor information so nothing at the gate catches you off guard.
For a wider view of road work and weather that can affect the distance drive between Deadwood and Mount Rushmore, use South Dakota’s official road construction and travel condition pages. With those tools, you can pick the best start time and route and avoid unexpected closures along the way.
Final Thoughts On The Distance From Deadwood To Mount Rushmore
For planning purposes, “How far is Mount Rushmore from Deadwood South Dakota?” comes down to about 50 miles, with a normal drive of a little over an hour. That gap is small enough for an easy day trip and long enough to deliver classic Black Hills scenery on the way.
Plan on 2.5 hours of drive time for the round trip, plus a buffer. Check official park and road sources before you leave, and the Deadwood–Rushmore link stays simple.