San Francisco to Watertown, South Dakota: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1394.9 miles 2244.9 km · straight line
1800 miles actual route 2896.8 km · driving distance
31h 18min estimated drive time
$173 - $213 estimated fuel cost
~3h 18min flight time
61° ENE bearing direction

How far is San Francisco from Watertown, South Dakota?

The distance from San Francisco to Watertown, South Dakota is 1394.9 miles (2244.9 km) as the crow flies. Watertown, South Dakota is located ENE of San Francisco. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1800 miles, taking about 31h 18min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 18min. Both are located in United States — San Francisco in California and Watertown, South Dakota 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 San Francisco and Watertown, South Dakota. 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 San Francisco to Watertown, South Dakota

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 31h 18min $173 - $213 Flexible stops
Fly ~3h 18min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~37h 34min $144–$270* Budget
Train ~40h 41min $216–$630* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between San Francisco & Watertown, South Dakota

Quick Facts

San Francisco
37.77°N, 122.42°W
America/Los_Angeles
16m elevation
Watertown, South Dakota
44.90°N, 97.12°W
America/Chicago
528m elevation
Explore more routes from Watertown, South Dakota

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 465 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 116 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 17.9 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM