Manhattan to Mount Rushmore: Road Trip Guide & Distance

481.5 miles 774.9 km · straight line
577.8 miles estimated 929.9 km · driving distance
11h 37min estimated drive time
$56 - $68 estimated fuel cost
~1h 28min flight time
315° NW bearing direction

How far is Manhattan from Mount Rushmore?

The distance from Manhattan to Mount Rushmore is 481.5 miles (774.9 km) as the crow flies. Mount Rushmore is located NW of Manhattan. By car, the driving distance is approximately 577.8 miles, taking about 11h 37min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 28min. Both are located in United States — Manhattan in Kansas 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 Manhattan 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 Manhattan to Mount Rushmore

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 11h 37min $56 - $68 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 28min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~13h 56min $46–$87* Budget
Train ~11h 2min $69–$202* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Manhattan & Mount Rushmore

Quick Facts

Manhattan
39.18°N, 96.57°W
America/Chicago
311m 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 161 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 40 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 51.7 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients