Elizabethtown to Mount Rushmore: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1012.3 miles 1629.2 km · straight line
1214.8 miles estimated 1955 km · driving distance
24h 26min estimated drive time
$117 - $144 estimated fuel cost
~2h 32min flight time
300° WNW bearing direction

How far is Elizabethtown from Mount Rushmore?

The distance from Elizabethtown to Mount Rushmore is 1012.3 miles (1629.2 km) as the crow flies. Mount Rushmore is located WNW of Elizabethtown. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1214.8 miles, taking about 24h 26min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 32min. Both are located in United States — Elizabethtown in Kentucky 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 Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown to Mount Rushmore

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 24h 26min $117 - $144 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 32min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~29h 19min $97–$182* Budget
Train ~31h 46min $146–$425* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Elizabethtown & Mount Rushmore

Quick Facts

Elizabethtown
37.69°N, 85.86°W
America/New_York
221m 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 337 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 84 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 24.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients