Lying in the northwestern corner of the city, it connects Interstate 90 (I-90) with the downtown area.

SD 445 begins at an intersection with SD 231 (W Chicago Street / W Omaha Street) in Rapid City's Westside, just across Rapid Creek and the Dakota Hogback from downtown.

It heads northwest as a four-lane undivided highway to pass through an industrial area.

The highway curves more northward, passing the former Lien Airport[3] as it travels through a more commercial district.

[4] All of SD 445 is legally defined via South Dakota Codified Law § 31-4-243.