Colonial Pine Hills to Sioux Falls is 357.2 miles and takes about 5h 48m via I 90, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This mostly highway route stays within the Great Plains region of South Dakota, making it a straightforward drive. Given its efficiency, this trip is ideal for a single-day adventure, especially if you're looking for a direct path across the state. You'll spend most of your time on I 90, so expect a consistent cruising experience.
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
178.6 miles from Colonial Pine Hills, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
338.1 mi
5h 19m
Elk Vale Road
5.3 mi
7m
Catron Boulevard
4.8 mi
7m
I 229
3.6 mi
4m
Sheridan Lake Road
3 mi
4m
I 229 Business
0.4 mi
<1m
East 8th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Clarkson Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 338.1 mi, about 5h 19m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 29 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~319 veh/hr typical
· worst 563
Quietest
2 AM
~22 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.5×
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 Colonial Pine Hills, SD and Sioux Falls, SD.
1
Start on Alfalfa Court
0.1 mi·34 sec·Alfalfa Court
2
Turn left onto Clarkson Road
0.2 mi·47 sec·Clarkson Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto Sheridan Lake Road
3.0 mi·4 min·Sheridan Lake Road
4
Turn slight right
413 ft·18 sec
5
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·31 sec·this road
6
Turn straight onto Catron Boulevard
4.8 mi·7 min·Catron Boulevard
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 16 Truck
5.3 mi·7 min·Elk Vale Road
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
9
Merge onto I 90; US 14
338 mi·5 hr 19 min·I 90; US 14
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 400Toward I 229 SouthUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 229
3.6 mi·4 min·I 229
12
Take the exit onto I 229 Business
0.2 mi·32 sec·I 229 Business
Exit 6Toward 10th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 229 Business
0.1 mi·20 sec·I 229 Business
Toward SD 42: Downtown, Washington PavilionUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn right onto South Lowell Avenue
0.1 mi·22 sec·South Lowell Avenue
15
Turn left onto East 8th Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·East 8th Street
16
Turn right onto North Chicago Avenue
0.1 mi·23 sec·North Chicago Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
North Chicago Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5h 48m drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Sioux Falls before evening. The longest stretch without a major road change is 338.1 miles on I 90, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping the $54 budget in mind. While there's only one designated stop in the data, you'll find numerous services along I 90 for quick breaks. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to stop more often if needed.
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 178.6 miles from Colonial Pine Hills, SD, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 338.1 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 79 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.6 miles or 2h 57m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sioux Falls, 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 357.2 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Colonial Pine Hills, 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 338.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 356.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Sheridan Lake Road
At end of road, turn right onto Sheridan Lake Road
Navigation decision point
7
352.4 mi into trip|~5h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 229 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 400
Toward I 229 South
8
356.5 mi into trip|~5h 46m in|I 229 Business
Take the exit onto I 229 Business toward 10th Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward 10th Street, Downtown
9
356.7 mi into trip|~5h 46m in|I 229 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto I 229 Business toward SD 42: Downtown, Washington Pavilion
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward SD 42: Downtown, Washington Pavilion
5
356.8 mi into trip|~5h 47m in|South Lowell Avenue
Turn right onto South Lowell Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.75 one way
$105.50 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$58.23
$116.47
premium
$4.72
$66.32
$132.64
diesel
$4.80
$67.45
$134.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.2
1
$37.51
$17.15
Efficient EV
89.3
1
$31.26
$14.29
EV Truck/SUV
142.9
1
$50.01
$22.86
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% 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
Colonial Pine Hills, SD
Evening
in Colonial Pine Hills on Saturday
Local time
7:14 PM
MDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
W 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
Destination
Sioux Falls, SD
Evening
in Sioux Falls on Saturday
Local time
8:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Clear
SSW 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
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
2 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
5h 48m 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...
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
~61 min detour
$30
near mile 61.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on the interstate, with 96% of the 357.2 miles being highway driving. You'll experience a long stretch of 338.1 miles on I 90 before transitioning to Elk Vale Road and Catron Boulevard. Expect a consistent, high-speed cruising environment for the vast majority of your trip. The dense network of exits on I 90 will be a constant presence for much of the way.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 338.1 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Elk Vale Road. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Sheridan Lake Road.
Driving Effort6/10
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 357.2 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 0.3 miles (Sheridan Lake Road): Navigation decision point; at 352.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 356.5 miles (I 229 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Sioux Falls is a city of about 184,000 (2019) in Southeast South Dakota. Founded in 1883 in what was then known as the Dakota Territory, Sioux Falls has grown from a sleepy Midwestern town into a resort for shopping and tourism in the northern Great Plains. It is widely recognized as the largest urban center between Minneapolis and Denver.
Top landmarks
•South Dakota State Penitentiary — prison in South Dakota, United States of America
•Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science — museum, theater, concert hall, and art gallery in downtown Sioux Falls, South Da...
•Sioux Falls National Bank Building — office building in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 48m. Total distance: 357.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 338.1 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Sioux Falls, SD before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 25 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: at 0.3 miles (Sheridan Lake Road): Navigation decision point; at 352.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 356.5 miles (I 229 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sioux Falls, SD before the return drive.
