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Trip from Eagle Butte, SD to Spearfish, 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 34m

Distance

166.8 mi

268 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 22m ★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 43m
12 PM
3h 41m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 58m
8 PM
3h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Eagle Butte, SD, SD

Eagle Butte, SD

Frank Cone

Downtown Spearfish, SD, SD

Spearfish, SD

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 166.8-mile drive from Eagle Butte, South Dakota, to Spearfish, South Dakota, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 34 minutes on the road, primarily using SD Highway 34 and US Highway 212. With 97% of the route on highways, it’s designed for efficient travel. This trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, with an estimated fuel cost of $25. You'll be traversing the Great Plains region for the entirety of this route, offering consistent scenery.

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

83.4 miles from Eagle Butte, SD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
SD Highway 34 76.2 mi 1h 26m
US Highway 212 40.8 mi 1h
State Highway 73 27.4 mi 40m
SD 34 17.6 mi 17m
Lazelle Street 2.3 mi 2m
West 5th Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
East Jackson Boulevard 0.6 mi 1m
Main Street 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: SD Highway 34 — 76.2 mi, about 1h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Eagle Butte, SD and Spearfish, SD.

1

Start on this road

69 ft · 6 sec · this road
2

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 25 sec · this road
3

Turn right onto Main Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
4

Turn left onto US 212; SD 63

41 mi · 1 hr · US Highway 212
5

Continue on Faith 1b

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Faith B
6

Turn left onto SD 73

0.7 mi · 1 min · West 5th Avenue
7

Continue on SD 73

27 mi · 40 min · State Highway 73
8

At end of road, turn right onto SD 34

76 mi · 1 hr 26 min · SD Highway 34
9

Continue on SD 34; SD 79

2.3 mi · 2 min · Lazelle Street
10

Take the exit onto SD 34

18 mi · 17 min · SD 34
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward Jackson Boulevard, Black Hills State University
12

Turn left onto East Jackson Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Jackson Boulevard
13

Turn left onto I 90 Business

149 ft · 14 sec · North Main Street
14

Arrive at destination

I 90 Business

Trip Plan

Given its manageable 3-hour duration, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing you the flexibility to depart when you're ready. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight and arrive with ample time to spare. With only one recommended stop, you can decide to push through or pause as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 76.2-mile stretch on SD Highway 34, as services might be spaced out in this section of the Great Plains.

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 83.4 miles from Eagle Butte, SD, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.2 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 37 miles or 55m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 83.4 miles or 2h in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spearfish, SD than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Eagle Butte, 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 Eagle Butte, SD

This is one driving day of about 166.8 miles and 3h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Eagle Butte, 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 SD Highway 34 for about 76.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Box Elder, SD

83 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

North Eagle Butte, SD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Box Elder, SD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 83.4 miles from Eagle Butte, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before SD Highway 34 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.2 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.

Top Restaurant

Fujisan

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Spearfish, South Dakota

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 166.8

Hours: 11:30 am–2:30 pm

+16056422268

Millstone Family Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Spearfish, South Dakota

0.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Common Grounds

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Spearfish, South Dakota

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 166.8

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+16056429066

Green Bean

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Spearfish, South Dakota

0.3 mi

Blackbird Espresso

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Spearfish, South Dakota

0.2 mi

Fujisan

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: 11:30 am–2:30 pm

+16056422268

Millstone Family Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+16056424200

Visit website

Einstein Bros. Bagels

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

+16056426083

Visit website

Oasis Bar & Fireside Lounge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 143

Sturgis, South Dakota

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16053474609

Visit website

Common Grounds

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+16056429066

Green Bean

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16057173636

Visit website

Blackbird Espresso

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route Moderately mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+16057170022

Visit website

The Vine Bakehouse & Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16054436199

Visit website

Queen City Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+16055591025

Les Deux Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: 7:30 am–2:30 pm

+12189797800

Ally's Eats

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16054436199

Starbucks Coffee Company

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: 7 am–7:30 pm

+16056425728

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 154.9

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Black Hills Experience

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+16053405797

Visit website

Spearfish Rec & Aquatics Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 166.8

Spearfish, South Dakota

Hours: 5:30 am–8 pm

+16057221430

Visit website

Bear Butte State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 143

Sturgis, South Dakota

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+16053475240

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 165.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Main Street

Turn right onto Main Street

Navigation decision point

4
41.6 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in | SD 73 / West 5th Avenue

Turn left onto SD 73 / West 5th Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
69.8 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | SD 34 / SD Highway 34

At end of road, turn right onto SD 34 / SD Highway 34

Navigation decision point

4
148.3 mi into trip | ~3h 14m in | SD 34

Take the exit onto SD 34

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

5
165.9 mi into trip | ~3h 32m in

Take the exit toward Jackson Boulevard, Black Hills State University

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Jackson Boulevard, Black Hills State Uni...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.08 one way

$52.15 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.63 $57.26
premium $4.89 $32.10 $64.20
diesel $5.61 $36.83 $73.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50 0 $17.51 $8.01
Efficient EV 41.7 0 $14.60 $6.67
EV Truck/SUV 66.7 0 $23.35 $10.68

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Eagle Butte, SD

Evening in Eagle Butte on Saturday

Local time

8:47 PM

MDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Spearfish, SD

Evening in Spearfish on Saturday

Local time

8:47 PM

MDT

Current temp

73°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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

29 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 34m 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?

The character of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-oriented, making it a quick and direct experience. You'll spend nearly all of your time on paved, well-maintained roads, with a significant 97% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 76.2 miles along SD Highway 34, so be prepared for that longer segment. The route is largely consistent, offering a predictable driving experience as you make your way across South Dakota.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.2 mi on SD Highway 34.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SD Highway 34 and US Highway 212. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Main Street.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Eagle Butte, SD to Spearfish, SD is easy. At 3h 34m with 97% 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 (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 41.6 miles (SD 73 / West 5th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 69.8 miles (SD 34 / SD Highway 34): Navigation decision point.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

3,643 ft 2,330 ft

Total Climb

1,813 ft

Total Descent

586 ft

Highest Point

3,643 ft

~166.8 mi in

Elevation Range

1,313 ft

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 166.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 76.2 miles on SD Highway 34. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 41.6 miles (SD 73 / West 5th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 69.8 miles (SD 34 / SD Highway 34): Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Spearfish, 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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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