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Highway 385: Hill City to Deadwood, Black Hills, South Dakota
Photo: DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives South Dakota The Black Hills and the Badlands

Highway 385: Hill City to Deadwood

US 385, Black Hills Parkway, Deerfield Road · Hill City → Deadwood

Leisurely41 mi55 min3,400 ft climbHigh point ≈ 5,800 ftOne way
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The drive

This is US 385 running north from Hill City through Black Hills National Forest to Lead and Deadwood. The highway shares its route with US 16 from Custer until near Hill City, then continues on its own, bending gradually northwest to end at US 85 in Deadwood. The drive is 41.4 miles and takes about 55 minutes.

The road passes Pactola Reservoir, and a motorcycle route review recommends a stop at the Pactola dam. Lead and Deadwood are historic gold rush towns. Expect forest on both sides for most of the way.

Along the way

  1. Hill City
  2. Deadwood
Elevation
3,400 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 5,800 ft
Hill CityDeadwood
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
Hill CityDeadwood
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Long stretches of US 385 near Pactola Reservoir have been rebuilt in recent seasons, so check SD511 for work zones and delays.
  • Winter driving can be icy, and the road is plowed.
  • Summer brings the heaviest traffic.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check SD511 road conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long is US 385 from Hill City to Deadwood?

US 385 from Hill City to Deadwood is 41.4 miles and takes about 55 minutes.

What does US 385 pass between Hill City and Deadwood?

It passes Pactola Reservoir and runs through Lead before ending in Deadwood.

Is US 385 in the Black Hills open in winter?

Yes, the road is plowed, but winter driving can be icy. Check SD511 for current conditions.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 385: Hill City to Deadwood, from Hill City to Deadwood