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Highway 16: Custer to Wyoming, Black Hills, South Dakota
Photo: Runner1928 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives South Dakota The Black Hills and the Badlands

Highway 16: Custer to Wyoming

US 16 · Custer → Wyoming line

Leisurely24 mi30 min1,700 ft climbHigh point ≈ 5,800 ftOne way
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The drive

This is US 16 heading west from Custer across the southern Black Hills toward the Wyoming line. It is 24.2 miles and takes about 29 minutes. The drive ends just short of the state line.

Jewel Cave National Monument sits on Highway 16 about 13 miles west of Custer, and the NPS says it is about a 25-minute drive from Custer. Newcastle, Wyoming, is 24 miles beyond the monument. Jewel Cave is a stop off the highway and is not part of this route.

Along the way

  1. Custer (west)
  2. Wyoming line
Elevation
1,700 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 5,800 ft
CusterWyoming line
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
CusterWyoming line
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Winter weather can affect higher stretches of the Black Hills.
  • Jewel Cave National Monument is about 13 miles west of Custer on this highway.

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 16 from Custer to the Wyoming line?

US 16 from Custer to the Wyoming line is 24.2 miles and takes about 29 minutes.

Where is Jewel Cave on US 16?

Jewel Cave National Monument is on Highway 16 about 13 miles west of Custer.

Is US 16 west of Custer a curvy drive?

It crosses the Black Hills with a series of curves through pine forest and rock canyons.

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 16: Custer to Wyoming, from Custer to Wyoming line