Origin
Brandon, SD
Evening in Brandon on Saturday
Local time
8:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brandon, SD to Rapid City, SD
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 49m
Distance
351.9 mi
566 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 36m
★
6 AM
4h 49m
8 AM
5h 16m
10 AM
4h 59m
12 PM
4h 56m
3 PM
5h 0m
5 PM
5h 15m
8 PM
4h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brandon, SD
Patrick
Rapid City, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
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 miles from Brandon, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Sylvan Circle | — | — |
| North Splitrock Boulevard | — | — |
| I 190 | — | — |
| Omaha Street | — | — |
| Mount Rushmore Road | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East Sylvan Circle
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brandon, SD and Rapid City, SD.
1
Start on North Pipestone Street
43 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Pipestone Street
2
Turn right onto East Sylvan Circle
108 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Sylvan Circle
3
Turn right onto North Splitrock Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Splitrock Boulevard
4
Take the ramp left
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
5
Merge slight left
349 mi
·
5 hr 31 min
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 190, US 16: Downtown, Black Hawk National Forest, Mount Rushmore
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 190, US 16: Downtown, Black Hawk National Forest, Mount Rushmore
7
Continue straight
1.4 mi
·
1 min
8
Turn left onto Omaha Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Omaha Street
9
Turn right onto Mount Rushmore Road
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Mount Rushmore Road
10
Arrive at your destination
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 miles from Brandon, SD, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
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 77 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176 miles or 2h 24m 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
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 351.9 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
176 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 176 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.02 one way
$110.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
123 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $60.40 | $120.81 |
| premium | $4.89 | $67.72 | $135.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $77.70 | $155.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 105.6 | 1 | $36.95 | $16.89 |
| Efficient EV | 88 | 1 | $30.79 | $14.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 140.8 | 1 | $49.27 | $22.52 |
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.
Destination
Rapid City, SD
Evening in Rapid City on Saturday
Local time
7:09 PM
MDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
31 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 49m 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
View on nps.gov
Badlands National Park
National Park
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
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: East Sylvan Circle.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 49m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Brandon, SD to Rapid City, SD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 351.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Brandon, SD to Rapid City, SD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Yes — Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Rapid City, SD, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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