Madison, SD Road Trips
With 4 routes heading out and 2 heading in, Madison, SD works well as a modest departure point in the Great Plains. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 304 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Madison, SD head west, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
6
Longest Drive
387.2 mi
Lead, SD
Quickest Drive
4h 19m
Gettysburg, SD
Plan Around Madison, SD
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Madison, SD is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Madison, SD
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Madison, SD
Driving from Madison, SD
The typical drive from Madison, SD covers about 304 miles and takes around 5h 28m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 387 miles (6h 32m), while the shortest is just 218 miles.
Popular Destinations
The most popular drives from Madison, SD include Lead, SD (387.2 mi, 6h 32m), Rapid City, SD (346.5 mi, 5h 48m), Mobridge, SD (265.4 mi, 5h 12m), and Gettysburg, SD (218 mi, 4h 19m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in SD currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 304-mile trip from Madison, SD, budget about $45 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 4 mapped routes leaving Madison, SD and 2 routes heading into Madison, SD, covering 6 total connections. Distances range from 218 to 387 miles.
The longest mapped route from Madison, SD covers 387 miles and takes approximately 6h 32m. Shorter options start at just 218 miles.
The average route from Madison, SD runs about 304 miles with a drive time of roughly 5h 28m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 304-mile trip from Madison, SD costs roughly $45 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Madison, SD include Lead, SD, Rapid City, SD, Mobridge, SD and Gettysburg, SD. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Madison, SD by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
6,158
Median Income
$62,180
Median Home Value
$191,400
Median Age
39.6
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Madison, SD at a Glance
Founded
1880
Elevation
1,677 ft
Area
2 mi²
Notable People from Madison, SD
A sampling of people born in Madison, SD.
Charles Jacobs
1886–1971
American pole vaulter (1886–1971)
Mary Hart
1950
American journalist and television personality
Charles McCallister
1903–1997
American water polo player (1903-1997)
Eugene Luther Vidal
1895–1969
American commercial aviation pioneer and Olympic decathlete (1895-1969)
Richard Barrett Lowe
1902–1972
Educator and governor of American Samoa and Guam
City data from Wikidata (Q1020419), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Madison, SD
Madison is a city of 7,300 people (2019) between Lake Herman and Lake Madison in Southeast South Dakota. It is home to Dakota State University.
Madison Historic District - Bounded roughly by Egan Ave. (both sides), Washington, 4th and 7th Streets John C. Green Art Studio, 111 S Egan Ave, ☏ +1 605-256-3610. John Green is a local artist who is acclaimed nationally for his realistic paintings of wildlife, rural areas, and people. Lake County Museum, 221 NE 8th St, ☏ +1 605-256-5308. It exhibits objects of cultural, developmental, and historical value of the Lake County area from the mid-1800s to the present. 1 Lake Herman State Park.
Lake Herman and Lake Madison. Madison sits between these two lakes. Lake Herman has a state park near it for hiking, picnics, camping, etc. Swimming, fishing, and water sports are available at both lakes. Dakota Cinema, 1427 NW 2nd St, ☏ +1 605-256-4981. Theatre showing two movies every night, usually at 7:15PM and 7:30PM. Also occasional matinees or midnight showings of popular movies. Cherry Lanes, 1413 NW 2nd St, ☏ +1 605-256-4954. Bowling alley. Galactic bowling on weekends, lanes and whole establishment available for rent. Call for availability--must work around league scheduling. 1 Prairie Village (Threshing Jamboree), 45205 SD Highway 34, ☏ +1 605-256-3644. A "living museum," Prairie Village boasts over 40 antique-filled buildings, including Lawrence Welk Opera House, sod and log houses, a country school, churches, one of the last remaining chapel roadcars and agricultural displays. Surrounded by two miles of railroad track which can be ridden every Saturday at 2PM. Or take a ride on one of the last remaining steam-powered carousels. Biggest event of the year and best time to go is during the annual Threshing Jamboree at the end of the summer. Madison Golf and Country Club, SD 34 & 81 W, ☏ +1 605-256-3991. Located just west of Madison near Prairie Village and Lake Herman. This course is an 18-hole regulation length private golf course. It features 6,162 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The Madison Country Club golf course opened in 1946.
El Vaquero, 222 NE 2nd St, ☏ +1 605-427-0084. Widely acknowledged by locals as the best restaurant in town. Serves authentic Mexican food at reasonable prices. The decor is also charming--booths, tables, and chairs are handpainted in a Mexican folk-art style. Second Street Diner, 610 S Washington Ave, ☏ +1 605-256-4441. All-American food, 1950s-themed diner. Sandwiches, burgers, excellent malts and pie, and more.
AmericInn by Wyndham Madison SD, 504 10th St SE, ☏ +1 605-646-2689. Indoor pool.
East Dakota Transit, ☏ +1 605 256-6518. Bus trips made by appointment one day in advance. $2.00 per one-way ride. (updated Aug 2020)
Travel tips adapted from Madison (South Dakota) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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