Kansas City to Mount Rushmore: Road Trip Guide & Distance

565.4 miles 910 km · straight line
726.9 miles actual route 1169.8 km · driving distance
12h 29min estimated drive time
$70 - $86 estimated fuel cost
~1h 38min flight time
309° NW bearing direction

How far is Kansas City from Mount Rushmore?

The distance from Kansas City to Mount Rushmore is 565.4 miles (910 km) as the crow flies. Mount Rushmore is located NW of Kansas City. By car, the driving distance is approximately 726.9 miles, taking about 12h 29min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 38min. Both are located in United States — Kansas City in Missouri 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.

Coordinates come from public place data for Kansas City 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.

How to Get from Kansas City to Mount Rushmore

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 12h 29min $70 - $86 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 38min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~14h 59min $58–$109* Budget
Train ~16h 14min $87–$254* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Kansas City & Mount Rushmore

Quick Facts

Kansas City
39.10°N, 94.58°W
America/Chicago
277m 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 188 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 47 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 44 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM