Madison, Wisconsin to Mount Rushmore: Road Trip Guide & Distance

706.2 miles 1136.5 km · straight line
847.4 miles estimated 1363.8 km · driving distance
17h 3min estimated drive time
$82 - $100 estimated fuel cost
~1h 55min flight time
279° W bearing direction

How far is Madison, Wisconsin from Mount Rushmore?

The distance from Madison, Wisconsin to Mount Rushmore is 706.2 miles (1136.5 km) as the crow flies. Mount Rushmore is located W of Madison, Wisconsin. By car, the driving distance is approximately 847.4 miles, taking about 17h 3min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 55min. Both are located in United States — Madison, Wisconsin in Wisconsin 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 Madison, Wisconsin 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 Madison, Wisconsin to Mount Rushmore

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 17h 3min $82 - $100 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 55min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~20h 28min $68–$127* Budget
Train ~22h 10min $102–$297* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Madison, Wisconsin & Mount Rushmore

Quick Facts

Madison, Wisconsin
43.07°N, 89.40°W
America/Chicago
266m 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 235 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 59 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 35.3 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients