South Dakota road trips

Best Road Trips in South Dakota

20 popular South Dakota drives with distance, driving time, EV-friendliness and gas cost at the state's estimated $3.10/gal.

How we picked these routes

Our South Dakota road trip ranking method

Routes are ranked by traveler popularity between South Dakota metros and major destinations, with distance, driving time and current $3.10/gal fuel cost calculated for every drive.

  • Distance: city-center to city-center with a 1.18× road-curvature factor.
  • Fuel cost: 28 MPG baseline × $3.10/gal South Dakota regular.
  • Popularity: traveler-intent signals between major South Dakota origins and destinations.
  • EV practicality: regional DC fast-charging coverage flagged per route.
Featured South Dakota drive

New YorkSioux Falls

The headline South Dakota road trip — 1389 miles, about 22.4 hours of driving and roughly $154 in gas at $3.10/gal.

1389 mi~22.4 h~$154 fuelPlan EV stops
See full trip cost breakdown

More top South Dakota drives (19)

Long-haul · Plan EV stops

AtlantaSioux Falls

1118 mi · ~18.0 h · ~$124 gas

Open trip
Long-haul · Plan EV stops

Sioux FallsDallas

877 mi · ~14.1 h · ~$97 gas

Open trip
Long-haul · Plan EV stops

IndianapolisSioux Falls

713 mi · ~11.5 h · ~$79 gas

Open trip
Long-haul · Plan EV stops

Grand RapidsSioux Falls

658 mi · ~10.6 h · ~$73 gas

Open trip
Long-haul · Plan EV stops

St. LouisSioux Falls

566 mi · ~9.1 h · ~$63 gas

Open trip
Long-haul · Plan EV stops

ChicagoSioux Falls

561 mi · ~9.0 h · ~$62 gas

Open trip
Long-haul · Plan EV stops

SpringfieldSioux Falls

558 mi · ~9.0 h · ~$62 gas

Open trip
Long-haul · Plan EV stops

MilwaukeeSioux Falls

525 mi · ~8.5 h · ~$58 gas

Open trip
Moderate · Plan EV stops

Sioux FallsWichita

478 mi · ~7.7 h · ~$53 gas

Open trip
Moderate · Plan EV stops

MadisonSioux Falls

436 mi · ~7.0 h · ~$48 gas

Open trip
Moderate · Plan EV stops

Kansas CitySioux Falls

385 mi · ~6.2 h · ~$43 gas

Open trip
Moderate · Plan EV stops

Sioux FallsTopeka

372 mi · ~6.0 h · ~$41 gas

Open trip
Moderate · Plan EV stops

Sioux FallsBismarck

354 mi · ~5.7 h · ~$39 gas

Open trip
Moderate · Plan EV stops

Sioux FallsFargo

272 mi · ~4.4 h · ~$30 gas

Open trip
Moderate · Plan EV stops

Des MoinesSioux Falls

245 mi · ~4.0 h · ~$27 gas

Open trip
Moderate · Plan EV stops

St. PaulSioux Falls

242 mi · ~3.9 h · ~$27 gas

Open trip
Moderate · Plan EV stops

MinneapolisSioux Falls

234 mi · ~3.8 h · ~$26 gas

Open trip
Moderate · Plan EV stops

LincolnSioux Falls

223 mi · ~3.6 h · ~$25 gas

Open trip
Easy · Plan EV stops

OmahaSioux Falls

192 mi · ~3.1 h · ~$21 gas

Open trip

Best driving cost routes in South Dakota

Top South Dakota road trips with gas, distance and driving time at the state's estimated $3.10/gal.

Cheapest South Dakota road trips

Short, low-fuel-cost drives — great for a weekend trip from South Dakota.

Long-distance road trips from South Dakota

500+ mile drives for cross-country and multi-day road trip planning.

Drives in neighboring states

Cross-state routes near South Dakota — Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa.

Gas prices in South Dakota

Estimated regular at $3.10/gal · premium $3.75 · diesel $3.60.

Best vehicles for South Dakota drivers

EV vs gas in South Dakota

Compare driving cost of an EV vs a gas car for South Dakota trips and commutes.

Neighboring state road trip hubs

FAQ

What's the best time of year for a South Dakota road trip?

Spring and fall typically offer the most comfortable driving weather across most of South Dakota. Coastal and southern routes are pleasant year-round; mountain routes are best between late spring and early fall.

How much does a South Dakota road trip cost in fuel?

At South Dakota's estimated $3.10/gal and 28 MPG, expect roughly $11.07 per 100 miles. Each route below includes a detailed estimate.

Is South Dakota EV-friendly for road trips?

South Dakota has more limited fast-charging coverage outside major cities. For an EV trip, plan stops carefully and consider hybrid alternatives.

How accurate are these distances?

Distances are calculated from city centers using a road-curvature factor of about 1.18 over straight-line distance. Real-world mileage varies by route choice and traffic.