Louisville to Mount Rushmore: Road Trip Guide & Distance

998.1 miles 1606.3 km · straight line
1238.5 miles actual route 1993.2 km · driving distance
21h 43min estimated drive time
$119 - $147 estimated fuel cost
~2h 30min flight time
299° WNW bearing direction

How far is Louisville from Mount Rushmore?

The distance from Louisville to Mount Rushmore is 998.1 miles (1606.3 km) as the crow flies. Mount Rushmore is located WNW of Louisville. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1238.5 miles, taking about 21h 43min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 30min. Both are located in United States — Louisville 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 Louisville 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 Louisville to Mount Rushmore

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 21h 43min $119 - $147 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 30min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~26h 4min $99–$186* Budget
Train ~28h 14min $149–$433* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Louisville & Mount Rushmore

Quick Facts

Louisville
38.25°N, 85.76°W
America/New_York
142m 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 333 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 83 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 24.9 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM