Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
55.6 mi
90 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brandon, SD
Patrick
Madison, SD
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 55.6-mile drive from Brandon, South Dakota, to Madison, South Dakota, can be completed in about 1 hour and 6 minutes, making it an excellent option for a day trip. The majority of your journey, 90%, will be on highways, primarily utilizing I-29 and I-90 before transitioning to SD Highway 34. Given the short distance and modest fuel cost of approximately $9, you won't need an overnight stay. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. It's a practical choice for travelers seeking efficient transit between these two South Dakota communities.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 25.1 mi | 23m |
| SD Highway 34 | 15.2 mi | 21m |
| I 90 | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| Southeast 10th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Splitrock Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
| South Washington Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 3rd Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Southeast 3rd Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Brandon, SD and Madison, SD.
Start on North Pipestone Street
Turn right onto East Sylvan Circle
Turn right onto SD 11
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Merge onto I 29
Take the exit
Turn left onto SD 34
Continue on SD 34
Continue on SD 34
Continue on SD 34
Continue on SD 34
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto SD 34
Turn left onto SD 34
Turn left onto North Egan Avenue
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 27.8 miles from Brandon, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 36.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto East Sylvan Circle
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto SD 11 / North Splitrock Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 29: Fargo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward SD 34: Madison, Colman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$8.69 one way
$17.38 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.54 | $19.09 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.70 | $21.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.28 | $24.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.84 | $2.67 |
| Efficient EV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.87 | $2.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.78 | $3.56 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (63% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Brandon on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Night in Madison on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 90% of the route on interstates and main highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 25.1 miles on I-29, offering uninterrupted driving. The profile suggests a predominantly fast-paced journey, transitioning from interstate speeds to SD Highway 34 as you approach Madison. This means you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads, with minimal winding or slower local road sections.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 29 and SD Highway 34. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Sylvan Circle.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.6 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Sylvan Circle): Navigation decision point; near the start (SD 11 / North Splitrock Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Brandon, SD to Madison, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Colman along the way.
Colman
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 55.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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