Mount Rushmore to Ottumwa: Road Trip Guide & Distance

596.3 miles 959.7 km · straight line
715.6 miles estimated 1151.6 km · driving distance
14h 24min estimated drive time
$69 - $85 estimated fuel cost
~1h 42min flight time
106° ESE bearing direction

How far is Mount Rushmore from Ottumwa?

The distance from Mount Rushmore to Ottumwa is 596.3 miles (959.7 km) as the crow flies. Ottumwa is located ESE of Mount Rushmore. By car, the driving distance is approximately 715.6 miles, taking about 14h 24min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 42min. Both are located in United States — Mount Rushmore in South Dakota and Ottumwa in Iowa.

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 Mount Rushmore and Ottumwa. 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 Mount Rushmore to Ottumwa

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 14h 24min $69 - $85 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 42min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~17h 17min $57–$107* Budget
Train ~18h 43min $86–$250* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Mount Rushmore & Ottumwa

Quick Facts

Mount Rushmore
43.88°N, 103.46°W
America/Chicago
1745m elevation
Ottumwa
41.02°N, 92.41°W
America/Chicago
205m elevation
Explore more routes from Ottumwa

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 199 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 50 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 41.8 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients