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Fall Road Trips in South Dakota

Routes

30

Avg Distance

406 mi

Avg Drive

6h 45m

Destinations

16

Fall is arguably the best driving season in South Dakota. Cooler air, changing foliage, and fewer crowds along 30 routes averaging 406 miles.

Planning Tips

Check the weather forecast for your route, not just your origin and destination.
Bring layers for shoulder-season travel — mornings and evenings can be much cooler than midday.
South Dakota routes can vary in condition depending on the time of year. Check for construction zones.

Frequently Asked Questions

We've identified 30 routes in South Dakota that work well for fall travel, based on drive quality, typical weather conditions, and distance (averaging 406 miles).

Drive times and distances come from actual road network data via OSRM. Fuel costs use current state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. All data is recalculated regularly.

Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Fall Routes

Spearfish, SD → North Sioux City, SD

467.6 mi 7h 31m Score: 8/10

Milbank, SD → Rapid City, SD

458.8 mi 7h 40m Score: 8/10

Lead, SD → Watertown, SD

448 mi 7h 40m Score: 8/10

Watertown, SD → Lead, SD

447.9 mi 7h 40m Score: 8/10

Deadwood, SD → Watertown, SD

444.8 mi 7h 35m Score: 8/10

Jefferson, SD → Sturgis, SD

441.3 mi 7h 3m Score: 8/10

Rapid City, SD → Webster, SD

416.9 mi 7h 3m Score: 8/10

Rapid City, SD → Jefferson, SD

416.2 mi 6h 38m Score: 8/10

Britton, SD → Rapid City, SD

410.5 mi 7h 38m Score: 8/10

Belle Fourche, SD → Harrisburg, SD

410 mi 6h 44m Score: 8/10

Watertown, SD → Rapid City, SD

407.1 mi 6h 56m Score: 8/10

Tea, SD → Belle Fourche, SD

406.2 mi 6h 39m Score: 8/10

Garretson, SD → Spearfish, SD

405.9 mi 6h 34m Score: 8/10

Lemmon, SD → Sioux Falls, SD

403.9 mi 7h 23m Score: 9/10

Tea, SD → Spearfish, SD

399.1 mi 6h 27m Score: 8/10

Baltic, SD → Spearfish, SD

397.4 mi 6h 23m Score: 8/10

Lennox, SD → Spearfish, SD

397.1 mi 6h 37m Score: 8/10

Watertown, SD → Box Elder, SD

396.9 mi 6h 44m Score: 8/10

Deadwood, SD → Harrisburg, SD

396.4 mi 6h 27m Score: 8/10

Brandon, SD → Spearfish, SD

396.1 mi 6h 22m Score: 8/10

Hill City, SD → Yankton, SD

390.6 mi 6h 32m Score: 8/10

Yankton, SD → Sturgis, SD

390.1 mi 6h 23m Score: 8/10

Sioux Falls, SD → Custer, SD

389.1 mi 6h 30m Score: 8/10

Worthing, SD → Sturgis, SD

387.3 mi 6h 13m Score: 8/10

Springfield, SD → Spearfish, SD

383.3 mi 6h 44m Score: 8/10

Sturgis, SD → Lennox, SD

377.4 mi 6h 16m Score: 8/10

Spearfish, SD → Freeman, SD

376.4 mi 6h 7m Score: 8/10

Tyndall, SD → Spearfish, SD

375 mi 6h 31m Score: 8/10

Sioux Falls, SD → Sturgis, SD

374.6 mi 6h Score: 8/10

Springfield, SD → Sturgis, SD

363.4 mi 5h 17m Score: 8/10

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