Dubuque to Rapid City: Road Trip Guide & Distance

640.7 miles 1031.1 km · straight line
768.8 miles estimated 1237.3 km · driving distance
15h 28min estimated drive time
$74 - $91 estimated fuel cost
~1h 47min flight time
284° WNW bearing direction

How far is Dubuque from Rapid City?

The distance from Dubuque to Rapid City is 640.7 miles (1031.1 km) as the crow flies. Rapid City is located WNW of Dubuque. By car, the driving distance is approximately 768.8 miles, taking about 15h 28min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 47min. Both are located in United States — Dubuque 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 Dubuque 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 Dubuque to Rapid City

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 15h 28min $74 - $91 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 47min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~18h 34min $62–$115* Budget
Train ~20h 6min $92–$269* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Dubuque & Rapid City

Quick Facts

Dubuque
42.50°N, 90.66°W
America/Chicago
189m 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 214 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 53 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 38.9 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients