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Scenic Drives in South Dakota

Routes

30

Avg Distance

233 mi

Avg Drive

4h 2m

Destinations

14

Not every route in South Dakota is memorable, but these 30 are. Each scores at least 7/10 for drive quality, meaning real elevation changes, scenic stretches, and roads that feel like more than just pavement between two points.

Planning Tips

Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

We rate routes on a 1-10 drive score based on elevation changes, road variety, and terrain diversity. The 30 routes listed here all score 7 or higher.

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.

Top Scenic Routes

Milbank, SD → Rapid City, SD

458.8 mi 7h 40m Score: 8/10

Lead, SD → Watertown, SD

448 mi 7h 40m Score: 8/10

Rapid City, SD → Webster, SD

416.9 mi 7h 3m Score: 8/10

Garretson, SD → Spearfish, SD

405.9 mi 6h 34m Score: 8/10

Springfield, SD → Spearfish, SD

383.3 mi 6h 44m Score: 8/10

Spearfish, SD → Freeman, SD

376.4 mi 6h 7m Score: 8/10

Sioux Falls, SD → Sturgis, SD

374.6 mi 6h Score: 8/10

Tyndall, SD → Sturgis, SD

355.4 mi 6h 10m Score: 8/10

Sioux Falls, SD → Rapid City, SD

350.4 mi 5h 37m Score: 8/10

Madison, SD → Rapid City, SD

346.5 mi 5h 48m Score: 8/10

Tyndall, SD → Rapid City, SD

331.2 mi 5h 47m Score: 8/10

Tyndall, SD → Box Elder, SD

321 mi 5h 35m Score: 8/10

Gregory, SD → Spearfish, SD

285.9 mi 5h 13m Score: 8/10

Rapid City, SD → Mitchell, SD

276.9 mi 4h 27m Score: 8/10

Rapid City, SD → Fort Thompson, SD

213.4 mi 3h 35m Score: 9/10

Tyndall, SD → Pierre, SD

207.6 mi 3h 54m Score: 8/10

Tyndall, SD → Watertown, SD

202.8 mi 3h 39m Score: 8/10

Gregory, SD → Sioux Falls, SD

182.5 mi 3h 35m Score: 8/10

Fort Thompson, SD → Sioux Falls, SD

168.3 mi 2h 59m Score: 8/10

Brandon, SD → Milbank, SD

128.3 mi 2h 28m Score: 8/10

Milbank, SD → Sioux Falls, SD

126.5 mi 2h 27m Score: 8/10

Pierre, SD → Mobridge, SD

108.3 mi 2h 4m Score: 8/10

Sioux Falls, SD → Watertown, SD

106 mi 1h 47m Score: 8/10

Britton, SD → Watertown, SD

96.9 mi 1h 57m Score: 7/10

Mitchell, SD → Worthing, SD

87.6 mi 1h 30m Score: 8/10

Madison, SD → Freeman, SD

61.4 mi 1h 24m Score: 7/10

Belle Fourche, SD → Rapid City, SD

55.1 mi 1h 3m Score: 7/10

Madison, SD → Sioux Falls, SD

53.4 mi 1h 4m Score: 7/10

Deadwood, SD → Rapid City, SD

41.6 mi 46m Score: 8/10

Lead, SD → Spearfish, SD

18.5 mi 24m Score: 7/10

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South Dakota Trips