Embarking from Brandon, South Dakota, to Rapid City, South Dakota, covers 351.9 miles, taking approximately 4 hours and 49 minutes of pure driving time. This journey, estimated to cost around $53 in fuel, is best tackled as a single-day trip, with just one recommended stop. The route primarily utilizes local roads before transitioning to I-190, offering a turn-heavy local drive experience. You'll traverse the consistent Great Plains region throughout your travels, so expect a consistent landscape. This trip is ideal for those looking for a straightforward drive across the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
176.2 miles from Brandon, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
348.7 mi
5h 31m
I 190
1.4 mi
1m
North Splitrock Boulevard
1 mi
2m
Mount Rushmore Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Omaha Street
0.2 mi
<1m
East Sylvan Circle
<0.1 mi
<1m
North Pipestone Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 348.7 mi, about 5h 31m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 35 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~568 veh/hr typical
· worst 800
Quietest
2 AM
~27 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brandon, SD and Rapid City, SD.
1
Start on North Pipestone Street
44 ft·3 sec·North Pipestone Street
2
Turn right onto East Sylvan Circle
107 ft·6 sec·East Sylvan Circle
3
Turn right onto SD 11
1.0 mi·2 min·North Splitrock Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
5
Merge onto I 90
349 mi·5 hr 31 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 190, US 16: Downtown, Black Hawk National Forest, Mount Rushmore
7
Continue on I 190
1.4 mi·1 min·I 190
8
Turn left onto US 16; SD 44
0.2 mi·39 sec·Omaha Street
Use the right lane.
9
Turn right onto US 16
0.2 mi·45 sec·Mount Rushmore Road
Use the right lane.
10
Arrive at destination
US 16
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 49-minute duration, this trip is comfortably achievable in one day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. With only one recommended stop for the entire 351.9 miles, you can easily manage your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $53, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially since you'll be on local roads for much of the journey. A practical tip for this route is to ensure your GPS is updated, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile indicates a need for precise navigation.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176.2 miles from Brandon, SD, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 348.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 78 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.2 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rapid City, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brandon, SD so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brandon, SD
This is one driving day of about 352.3 miles and 5h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Brandon, SD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 348.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 352.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Sylvan Circle
Turn right onto East Sylvan Circle
Navigation decision point
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SD 11 / North Splitrock Boulevard
Turn right onto SD 11 / North Splitrock Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in|I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
350 mi into trip|~5h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 190, US 16: Downtown, Black Hawk National Forest, Mount Rushmore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 190, US 16: Downtown, Black Hawk Natio...
7
352.1 mi into trip|~5h 37m in|US 16 / Mount Rushmore Road
Turn right onto US 16 / Mount Rushmore Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.03 one way
$104.05 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$57.44
$114.87
premium
$4.72
$65.41
$130.82
diesel
$4.80
$66.52
$133.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.7
1
$36.99
$16.91
Efficient EV
88.1
1
$30.83
$14.09
EV Truck/SUV
140.9
1
$49.32
$22.55
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Brandon, SD
Evening
in Brandon on Saturday
Local time
8:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Clear
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:49AM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:31AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Destination
Rapid City, SD
Evening
in Rapid City on Saturday
Local time
7:16 PM
MDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
NW 6 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:49AM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:31AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 38m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
National Memorial
Majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, tell the story of the birth, growth, devel...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 351.9
The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
$30
near mile 291.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' with a 0% highway share, meaning you won't be on interstates for extended periods. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the profile suggests a route that requires frequent attention to navigation and speed adjustments due to numerous turns. You'll be navigating local roads for the majority of the 351.9 miles, so be prepared for a less predictable pace compared to highway driving. This road's personality is about engaging with the local infrastructure rather than cruising on high-speed byways.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 348.7 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 190. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Sylvan Circle.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 38m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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.
Rapid City is the largest city in the Badlands and Black Hills region of South Dakota. It is a convenient base for travel on to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Crazy Horse Memorial, the Badlands, and the Black Hills National Forest.
Top landmarks
•Hotel Alex Johnson — building in Rapid City, South Dakota
•Dinosaur Park — sculpture park in Rapid City, South Dakota
The longest stretch is about 348.7 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through SD can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
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.
Yes — Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rapid City, SD before the return drive.
