Missoula to Rapid City: Road Trip Guide & Distance

555.7 miles 894.3 km · straight line
666.9 miles estimated 1073.2 km · driving distance
13h 25min estimated drive time
$64 - $79 estimated fuel cost
~1h 37min flight time
106° ESE bearing direction

How far is Missoula from Rapid City?

The distance from Missoula to Rapid City is 555.7 miles (894.3 km) as the crow flies. Rapid City is located ESE of Missoula. By car, the driving distance is approximately 666.9 miles, taking about 13h 25min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 37min. Both are located in United States — Missoula in Montana and Rapid City 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.

Coordinates come from public place data for Missoula and Rapid City. 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 Missoula to Rapid City

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 13h 25min $64 - $79 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 37min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~16h 6min $53–$100* Budget
Train ~17h 27min $80–$233* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Missoula & Rapid City

Quick Facts

Missoula
46.87°N, 114.00°W
America/Denver
978m elevation
Rapid City
44.08°N, 103.23°W
America/Chicago
966m elevation
Explore more routes from Rapid City

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 185 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 46 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 44.8 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients