Fort Dodge to Mount Rushmore: Road Trip Guide & Distance

477.4 miles 768.3 km · straight line
572.9 miles estimated 922 km · driving distance
11h 32min estimated drive time
$55 - $68 estimated fuel cost
~1h 28min flight time
285° WNW bearing direction

How far is Fort Dodge from Mount Rushmore?

The distance from Fort Dodge to Mount Rushmore is 477.4 miles (768.3 km) as the crow flies. Mount Rushmore is located WNW of Fort Dodge. By car, the driving distance is approximately 572.9 miles, taking about 11h 32min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 28min. Both are located in United States — Fort Dodge in Iowa and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

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. 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 Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge to Mount Rushmore

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 11h 32min $55 - $68 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 28min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~13h 50min $46–$86* Budget
Train ~10h 57min $69–$201* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Fort Dodge & Mount Rushmore

Quick Facts

Fort Dodge
42.50°N, 94.17°W
America/Chicago
340m 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 159 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 40 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 52.2 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients