Mount Rushmore to Rochester, Minnesota: Road Trip Guide & Distance

546.3 miles 879.2 km · straight line
655.5 miles estimated 1055 km · driving distance
13h 11min estimated drive time
$63 - $78 estimated fuel cost
~1h 36min flight time
85° E bearing direction

How far is Mount Rushmore from Rochester, Minnesota?

The distance from Mount Rushmore to Rochester, Minnesota is 546.3 miles (879.2 km) as the crow flies. Rochester, Minnesota is located E of Mount Rushmore. By car, the driving distance is approximately 655.5 miles, taking about 13h 11min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 36min. Both are located in United States — Mount Rushmore in South Dakota and Rochester, Minnesota in Minnesota.

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 Rochester, Minnesota. 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 Rochester, Minnesota

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 13h 11min $63 - $78 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 36min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~15h 49min $52–$98* Budget
Train ~17h 8min $79–$229* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Mount Rushmore & Rochester, Minnesota

Quick Facts

Mount Rushmore
43.88°N, 103.46°W
America/Chicago
1745m elevation
Rochester, Minnesota
44.02°N, 92.47°W
America/Chicago
312m elevation
Explore more routes from Rochester, Minnesota

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 182 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 46 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 45.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients