Traveling from Fort Thompson to Sioux Falls covers 168.3 miles across the South Dakota Great Plains. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 2 hours and 59 minutes, making it a straightforward one-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $26 for fuel should cover your needs for the journey. Because the total drive time is under three hours, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. The route is highly efficient, utilizing a mix of I-90, SD Highway 50, and SD Highway 34 to navigate the region. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a weekend change of scenery, this drive offers a practical connection between 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
84.1 miles from Fort Thompson, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
133.9 mi
2h 6m
SD Highway 50
18.8 mi
28m
SD Highway 34
4.6 mi
6m
I 229
3.6 mi
4m
East King Street
3.2 mi
5m
SD Highway 249
1.1 mi
1m
North Main Street
1 mi
2m
I 229 Business
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 133.9 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Thompson, SD and Sioux Falls, SD.
1
Start on BIA 4
65 ft·1 sec·BIA Route 4
2
Turn right onto SD 249
1.1 mi·1 min·SD Highway 249
3
Turn straight onto SD 34
4.6 mi·6 min·SD Highway 34
4
Turn right onto SD 50
19 mi·28 min·SD Highway 50
5
Continue on SD 50
1.0 mi·2 min·North Main Street
6
Turn left onto East Mott Avenue
331 ft·16 sec·East Mott Avenue
7
Turn right onto North Sanborn Street
0.3 mi·1 min·North Sanborn Street
8
Turn left onto I 90 Business; SD 50
3.2 mi·5 min·East King Street
9
Take the ramp onto I 90 Business; SD 50
0.4 mi·45 sec·I 90 Business; SD 50
Toward I 90 East
10
Merge onto I 90; SD 50
134 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 90; SD 50
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 400Toward I 229 SouthUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 229
3.6 mi·4 min·I 229
13
Take the exit onto I 229 Business
0.2 mi·32 sec·I 229 Business
Exit 6Toward 10th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
14
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.
15
Turn right onto South Lowell Avenue
0.1 mi·22 sec·South Lowell Avenue
16
Turn left onto East 8th Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·East 8th Street
17
Turn right onto North Chicago Avenue
0.1 mi·23 sec·North Chicago Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
North Chicago Avenue
Trip Plan
Since the drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one stop during the trip to break up the 133.9-mile stretch on I-90 and keep your focus sharp. With a fuel budget of $26, you may find it helpful to fill your tank before leaving Fort Thompson to avoid any range anxiety on the interstate. Because this is a single-day trip, you can easily adjust your schedule to avoid peak traffic times near Sioux Falls. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning between I-90 and the state highways to ensure a smooth arrival.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 84.1 miles from Fort Thompson, SD, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.9 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 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.1 miles or 1h 37m 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 28m
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 Fort Thompson, 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 Fort Thompson, SD
This is one driving day of about 168.3 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Fort Thompson, 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 133.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.6 and 167.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
25.6 mi into trip|~39m in|North Sanborn Street
Turn right onto North Sanborn Street
Navigation decision point
7
163.5 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
167.5 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
167.7 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
167.9 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|South Lowell Avenue
Turn right onto South Lowell Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.31 one way
$52.62 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.89
$57.78
premium
$4.89
$32.39
$64.78
diesel
$5.61
$37.16
$74.32
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: 58.9 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
50.5
0
$17.67
$8.08
Efficient EV
42.1
0
$14.73
$6.73
EV Truck/SUV
67.3
0
$23.56
$10.77
Gas CO2
59 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
Fort Thompson, SD
Night
in Fort Thompson on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sioux Falls, SD
Night
in Sioux Falls on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 59m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 97% of your travel spent on major roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 133.9 miles along I-90. Expect a consistent experience behind the wheel, as the infrastructure is designed for steady, efficient progress across the plains. While the majority of the journey relies on the interstate, you will also utilize SD Highway 50 and SD Highway 34 to reach your destination. The transition between these roads creates a predictable flow, allowing you to maintain a reliable pace for the duration of the 168.3-mile trip.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 133.9 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and SD Highway 50. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 25.6 miles in near North Sanborn Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 168.3 miles you will encounter 14 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 25.6 miles (North Sanborn Street): Navigation decision point; at 163.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.5 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 168.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 133.9 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 25.6 miles (North Sanborn Street): Navigation decision point; at 163.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.5 miles (I 229 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sioux Falls, SD before heading back.
