Mesa to Mount Rushmore: Road Trip Guide & Distance

851.5 miles 1370.3 km · straight line
1233.8 miles actual route 1985.6 km · driving distance
22h 23min estimated drive time
$119 - $146 estimated fuel cost
~2h 13min flight time
29° NNE bearing direction

How far is Mesa from Mount Rushmore?

The distance from Mesa to Mount Rushmore is 851.5 miles (1370.3 km) as the crow flies. Mount Rushmore is located NNE of Mesa. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1233.8 miles, taking about 22h 23min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 13min. Both are located in United States — Mesa in Arizona 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. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. 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 Mesa 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 Mesa to Mount Rushmore

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 22h 23min $119 - $146 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 13min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~26h 52min $99–$185* Budget
Train ~29h 6min $148–$432* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Mesa & Mount Rushmore

Quick Facts

Mesa
33.42°N, 111.83°W
America/Phoenix
378m 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 284 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 71 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 29.2 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM