Trip from Colonial Pine Hills, SD to Pierre, SD
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
199.3 mi
321 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pierre, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Colonial Pine Hills to Pierre is 199.3 miles and takes about 3 hours 24 minutes via I 90 and US Highway 83, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region of South Dakota, offering a straightforward highway-focused experience. It's a route best suited for a single day, allowing you to cover ground efficiently. Expect a consistent pace as you navigate the primary roadways connecting these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
99.7 miles from Colonial Pine Hills, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 150.5 mi | 2h 22m |
| US Highway 83 | 30.9 mi | 35m |
| Elk Vale Road | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| Catron Boulevard | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| Sheridan Lake Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| South 1st Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Sioux Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North Deadwood Street | 0.7 mi | <1m |
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Pine Hills, SD and Pierre, SD.
Start on Alfalfa Court
Turn left onto Clarkson Road
At end of road, turn right onto Sheridan Lake Road
Turn slight right
Continue on this road
Turn straight onto Catron Boulevard
Continue on US 16 Truck
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90; US 14
Take the exit onto US 83
Turn left onto US 83; SD 53
Continue on US 83; SD 1806
Continue on US 83; SD 1806
Continue on US 14; US 83; SD 34
Continue on US 14; US 83; SD 34
Turn left onto SD 1889
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this drive can be completed in under 3.5 hours, you have the flexibility to leave any time of day and still arrive with plenty of daylight. There's one indicated stop, but with the short duration, you may not need a formal break beyond a quick fuel refill. Pay attention to the transition from I 90 to US Highway 83; it's a key point where the character of the drive changes slightly. Given the modest 199.3-mile distance, planning for a single-day trip is straightforward.
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.
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 44 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.7 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pierre, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
Open the route before leaving Colonial Pine Hills, 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 Colonial Pine Hills, SD
This is one driving day of about 199.3 miles and 3h 24m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 99.7 miles from Colonial Pine Hills, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Wasta Rest Area (Westbound)
Wasta Rest Area (Eastbound)
I-90 Belvidere Rest Area (eastbound)
Flying J Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Rest Area
Rest Area
I-90 Belvidere Rest Area (westbound)
Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Service Plaza
I-90 Black Hillls Welcome Center
Rest Area
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 199.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Clarkson Road
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto Sheridan Lake Road
Navigation decision point
Take the exit onto US 83 toward US 83 North, SD 53: Fort Pierre, Pierre State Capitol
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto US 83; SD 53 / US Highway 83
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto SD 1889 / South Pierre Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.16 one way
$62.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.21 | $68.42 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.35 | $76.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.00 | $88.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.93 | $9.57 |
| Efficient EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.44 | $7.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.7 | 0 | $27.90 | $12.76 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Colonial Pine Hills, SD
Evening in Colonial Pine Hills on Saturday
Local time
8:48 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Destination
Pierre, SD
Night in Pierre on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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 later
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
3h 24m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 91% of the journey utilizing major roads like I 90 and US Highway 83. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 150.5 miles on I 90, providing a chance to settle into a steady rhythm. The route transitions from Elk Vale Road onto the interstate, then shifts to US Highway 83, offering a consistent, high-speed experience for most of the 199.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US Highway 83. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Clarkson Road.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Colonial Pine Hills, SD to Pierre, SD is easy. At 3h 24m with 91% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Clarkson Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Sheridan Lake Road): Navigation decision point; at 164.7 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Colonial Pine Hills, SD to Pierre, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Pierre State Capitol along the way.
Pierre State Capitol
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 199.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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