Chicago to Mount Rushmore: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Chicago from Mount Rushmore?

The distance from Chicago to Mount Rushmore is 812 miles (1306.8 km) as the crow flies. Mount Rushmore is located WNW of Chicago. By car, the driving distance is approximately 936.2 miles, taking about 16h 26min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 8min. Both are located in United States — Chicago in Illinois 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. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Chicago and Mount Rushmore. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.