Badlands to Elk River: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Badlands from Elk River?

The distance from Badlands to Elk River is 442.9 miles (712.8 km) as the crow flies. Elk River is located ENE of Badlands. By car, the driving distance is approximately 531.5 miles, taking about 10h 42min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 23min. Both are located in United States — Badlands in South Dakota and Elk River in Minnesota.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

Coordinates come from public place data for Badlands and Elk River. 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.