Scenic Drives in South Dakota
Routes
36
Avg Distance
236 mi
Avg Drive
4h 3m
Destinations
29
South Dakota's scenic drives offer a journey through gently rolling terrain, with routes scoring an average of 8 out of 10. These drives often traverse areas with parks, boast excellent EV coverage, and feature charger counts reaching up to 32 fast chargers. Expect average trip lengths around 4 hours, covering approximately 236 miles, with maximum elevations around 3,400 feet, providing a solid representation of the state's expansive landscapes.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$4.22/gal
Diesel: $5.35/gal
Typical trip cost
$1–$82
One-way, ~236 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~83 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-06-01
Climate through the year: South Dakota
South Dakota peaks at around 85°F in Jul and cools to 27°F / 9°F in Jan. Wettest month is Jun at ~4.2 in of rain.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27 | 9 | 0.6 | 8 |
| Feb | 32 | 13 | 0.8 | 8.6 |
| Mar | 45 | 24 | 1.6 | 7.2 |
| Apr | 59 | 36 | 3 | 5.1 |
| May | 71 | 48 | 3.9 | 0.1 |
| Jun | 81 | 59 | 4.2 | — |
| Jul | 85 | 63 | 3.3 | — |
| Aug | 83 | 61 | 3.3 | — |
| Sep | 76 | 52 | 2.7 | — |
| Oct | 61 | 38 | 2.4 | 1.4 |
| Nov | 45 | 25 | 1.2 | 6.2 |
| Dec | 32 | 13 | 0.8 | 8.7 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for SD — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
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
Top Scenic Routes
Editor's pick
Milbank, SD → Sturgis, SD
This extensive route scores an 8 and includes 20 fast chargers, making it a practical choice for covering a lot of ground. Its gently rolling terrain and access to parks offer a good overview of the state's character.
Editor's pick
Spearfish, SD → North Sioux City, SD
With a drive score of 8 and the highest fast charger count at 32, this trip provides excellent infrastructure. The route navigates gently rolling terrain with a maximum elevation of 3,643 feet, passing through parkland.
Editor's pick
Milbank, SD → Rapid City, SD
This drive also earns a strong 8 for its scenic qualities, featuring 23 fast chargers and park access. The gently rolling terrain and a max elevation of 3,243 feet present a classic South Dakota driving experience.
Lemmon, SD → Yankton, SD
Watertown, SD → Lead, SD
Rapid City, SD → Webster, SD
Through: Farmer
Rapid City, SD → Jefferson, SD
Yankton, SD → North Spearfish, SD
Belle Fourche, SD → Harrisburg, SD
Box Elder, SD → Webster, SD
Through: Farmer
Tea, SD → Belle Fourche, SD
Sturgis, SD → Lennox, SD
Spearfish, SD → Freeman, SD
Through: Yankton
Sioux Falls, SD → Porcupine, SD
Sturgis, SD → Freeman, SD
Through: Yankton
Yankton, SD → Mobridge, SD
Through: Fort Pierre
North Spearfish, SD → Mitchell, SD
Rapid City, SD → Parkston, SD
Through: Mitchell
Brandon, SD → Mission, SD
Through: White River
Spearfish, SD → Fort Thompson, SD
Sturgis, SD → Fort Thompson, SD
Rapid City, SD → Fort Thompson, SD
Keystone, SD → Scenic, SD
Lake Preston, SD → Osceola, SD
Cedar Butte, SD → Wood, SD
Trent, SD → Ward, SD
Wecota, SD → Chelsea, SD
Whitewood, SD → Kirk, SD
Through: Lead
Spearfish, SD → Kirk, SD
Through: Lead
Mission, SD → Saint Francis, SD
Saint Onge, SD → Kirk, SD
Bridgewater, SD → Spencer, SD
Flandreau, SD → Trent, SD
Colman, SD → Trent, SD
Through: Chester
Mission, SD → Rosebud, SD
Kirk, SD → Englewood, SD