ToClearSkies

Rapid City · Live readout · Observed Jul 21, 2:00 p.m. EDT

Sensitive lungs: skip outdoor workouts

Rapid City is breathing 5.2 cigarettes a week

Nothing cleaner nearby How we count it →

As everyday air for years, this means meaningfully more heart, lung and early-death risk.

16.4
PM2.5 µg/m³
65
US AQI
Moderate
Category
2.3
Cleanest in reach · µg/m³
Look farther for cleaner air

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Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

You may already have the cleanest nearby air.No meaningfully cleaner place has a verified road route within 3 hours. Widen the range or show worse air for context.

Your escape map is waking up. Every town is also in the ranked list.
Rapid City Low smoke · AQI 0–50 Some pollution · AQI 51–100 Unhealthy (sensitive) · AQI 101–150 Unhealthy+ · AQI 151+
Top pick
Box Elder
Cel-shaded illustration of Box Elder
#1Box ElderParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

South Dakota

South Dakota community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Ellsworth Air Force Base
Cel-shaded illustration of Ellsworth Air Force Base
#2Ellsworth Air Force BaseParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

South Dakota

South Dakota community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Summerset
Cel-shaded illustration of Summerset
#3SummersetParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

South Dakota

South Dakota community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Sturgis
Cel-shaded illustration of Sturgis
#4SturgisParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

South Dakota

South Dakota community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Deadwood
Cel-shaded illustration of Deadwood
#5DeadwoodParticle data unavailable~45 min drivesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

South Dakota

Historic Black Hills mining town tucked in a forested gulch, higher and cooler than the surrounding plains, with historic hotels.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Lead
Cel-shaded illustration of Lead
#6LeadParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

South Dakota

South Dakota community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Spearfish
Cel-shaded illustration of Spearfish
#7SpearfishParticle data unavailable~50 min drivesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

South Dakota

Northern Black Hills town at the mouth of a forested canyon, higher and cooler than the plains, with hotels and rentals.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Custer
Cel-shaded illustration of Custer
#8CusterParticle data unavailable~1 h drivesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

South Dakota

Black Hills town near 5,300 feet amid granite spires and pine forest, cooler and clearer than the plains, with cabins and lodges.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
North Spearfish
Cel-shaded illustration of North Spearfish
#9North SpearfishParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

South Dakota

South Dakota community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Hot Springs
Cel-shaded illustration of Hot Springs
#10Hot SpringsParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

South Dakota

South Dakota community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Newcastle
Cel-shaded illustration of Newcastle
#11NewcastleParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

Wyoming

Wyoming community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Belle Fourche
Cel-shaded illustration of Belle Fourche
#12Belle FourcheParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

South Dakota

South Dakota community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Chadron
Cel-shaded illustration of Chadron
#13ChadronParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

Nebraska

Nebraska community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Gillette
Cel-shaded illustration of Gillette
#14GilletteParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

Wyoming

Wyoming community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Wright
Cel-shaded illustration of Wright
#15WrightParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

Wyoming

Wyoming community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
North Eagle Butte
Cel-shaded illustration of North Eagle Butte
#16North Eagle ButteParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.2 cigs/wk

South Dakota

South Dakota community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Colorado Springs
Cel-shaded illustration of Colorado Springs
#17Colorado SpringsLow smoke · AQI 13Checking road routesaves 4.5 cigs/wk

Colorado· PM2.5 2.3 µg/m³

A major Colorado city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

86% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2.3 µg/m³ here vs 16.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.3/22 × 7 = 0.7 here; 16.4/22 × 7 = 5.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

14.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Rapid City right now

86% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 21, 2:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Fort Collins
Cel-shaded illustration of Fort Collins
#18Fort CollinsLow smoke · AQI 32~6 h 20 min drivesaves 3.4 cigs/wk

Colorado· PM2.5 5.8 µg/m³

A major Colorado city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

65% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.8 µg/m³ here vs 16.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.8/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 16.4/22 × 7 = 5.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

10.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Rapid City right now

65% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 21, 2:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Denver
Cel-shaded illustration of Denver
#19DenverLow smoke · AQI 32~7 h 20 min drivesaves 3.4 cigs/wk

Colorado· PM2.5 5.8 µg/m³

A major Colorado city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

65% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.8 µg/m³ here vs 16.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.8/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 16.4/22 × 7 = 5.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

10.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Rapid City right now

65% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 21, 2:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Boulder
Cel-shaded illustration of Boulder
#20BoulderLow smoke · AQI 36~7 h 10 min drivesaves 3.2 cigs/wk

Colorado· PM2.5 6.4 µg/m³

A major Colorado city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

61% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 6.4 µg/m³ here vs 16.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6.4/22 × 7 = 2.0 here; 16.4/22 × 7 = 5.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

10 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Rapid City right now

61% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 21, 2:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Jul 21, 2:00 p.m. EDTReadings from Jul 21, 2:00 p.m. EDT — refreshing…

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

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What this means · Rapid City

Oof.

5.2cigarettes

per week, if this air holds

Act two · The scale

Where today lands

From a crisp horizon to smoke you can taste — here’s your reading on it.

16.4 µg/m³
CrispSome smokeHeavy smoke

Act three · The ladder

What each rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural air. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Exceptionally clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good, not pristine. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy for sensitive. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Unhealthy. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · The fine print

The receipts

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 16.4 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 16.4/22 × 7 = 5.2 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →