Cedar Rapids to Rapid City: Road Trip Guide & Distance

601.8 miles 968.5 km · straight line
722.2 miles estimated 1162.2 km · driving distance
14h 32min estimated drive time
$69 - $86 estimated fuel cost
~1h 43min flight time
288° WNW bearing direction

How far is Cedar Rapids from Rapid City?

The distance from Cedar Rapids to Rapid City is 601.8 miles (968.5 km) as the crow flies. Rapid City is located WNW of Cedar Rapids. By car, the driving distance is approximately 722.2 miles, taking about 14h 32min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 43min. Both are located in United States — Cedar Rapids in Iowa and Rapid City 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 Cedar Rapids and Rapid City. 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 Cedar Rapids to Rapid City

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 14h 32min $69 - $86 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 43min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~17h 26min $58–$108* Budget
Train ~18h 54min $87–$253* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Cedar Rapids & Rapid City

Quick Facts

Cedar Rapids
42.01°N, 91.64°W
America/Chicago
247m elevation
Rapid City
44.08°N, 103.23°W
America/Chicago
966m elevation
Explore more routes from Rapid City

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 201 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 50 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 41.4 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients