Rapid City to Vail: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Rapid City from Vail?

The distance from Rapid City to Vail is 346.7 miles (558 km) as the crow flies. Vail is located SSW of Rapid City. By car, the driving distance is approximately 416.1 miles, taking about 8h 22min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 12min. Both are located in United States — Rapid City in South Dakota and Vail in Colorado.

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 Rapid City and Vail. 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.