Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
82.6 mi
133 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Sparse
1 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Harrisburg, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Yankton, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Harrisburg to Yankton covers approximately 82.6 miles and takes about 1 hour and 17 minutes to complete. This journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of South Dakota, making it a straightforward excursion that easily fits into a single day. With a fuel budget of roughly $13, it is an economical trip for those looking to traverse the local landscape. Because the duration is quite short, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics. Whether you are heading south for business or a quick visit, this route offers a simple, direct connection between the two communities.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 41 mi | 38m |
| SD Highway 50 | 28.8 mi | 33m |
| East 4th Street | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| 276th Street | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| SD Highway 115 | 3 mi | 3m |
| East Willow Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| West 4th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg, SD and Yankton, SD.
Start on CR 110
Turn left onto SD 115
Turn right onto CR 116
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 29
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto SD 50
Continue on SD 50
Continue on SD 50
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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.
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 41.3 miles from Harrisburg, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 49.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto CR 116 / 276th Street
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward SD 50: Vermillion, Yankton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward SD 50: Vermillion, Yankton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto SD 50 / SD Highway 50
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$12.91 one way
$25.83 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.18 | $28.36 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.90 | $31.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.24 | $36.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$13
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.67 | $3.96 |
| Efficient EV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.23 | $3.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33 | 0 | $11.56 | $5.29 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Harrisburg on Saturday
Local time
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
26°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Night in Yankton on Saturday
Local time
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate via Highway 115, 276th Street, and SD 50 to reach your destination. Since the path relies on local roads, you should prepare for a more engaged driving experience that requires your full attention compared to a standard freeway cruise. The character of this drive is defined by its rural connectivity and the lack of long, uninterrupted stretches. While you won't be dealing with heavy congestion, the winding nature of these local roads means you should keep a steady pace throughout the entire 82.6-mile distance.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 29 and SD Highway 50. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in near CR 116 / 276th Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 29m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.5 miles (CR 116 / 276th Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 49.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 82.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Straightforward navigation.
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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