Apple Valley, Minnesota to Mount Rushmore: Road Trip Guide & Distance

509.5 miles 819.9 km · straight line
611.4 miles estimated 983.9 km · driving distance
12h 18min estimated drive time
$59 - $72 estimated fuel cost
~1h 31min flight time
267° W bearing direction

How far is Apple Valley, Minnesota from Mount Rushmore?

The distance from Apple Valley, Minnesota to Mount Rushmore is 509.5 miles (819.9 km) as the crow flies. Mount Rushmore is located W of Apple Valley, Minnesota. By car, the driving distance is approximately 611.4 miles, taking about 12h 18min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 31min. Both are located in United States — Apple Valley, Minnesota in Minnesota and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare.

Coordinates come from public place data for Apple Valley, Minnesota and Mount Rushmore. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Apple Valley, Minnesota to Mount Rushmore

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 12h 18min $59 - $72 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 31min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~14h 46min $49–$92* Budget
Train ~15h 59min $73–$214* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Apple Valley, Minnesota & Mount Rushmore

Quick Facts

Apple Valley, Minnesota
44.73°N, 93.22°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Mount Rushmore
43.88°N, 103.46°W
America/Chicago
1745m elevation
Explore more routes from Mount Rushmore

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 170 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 42 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 48.9 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients