Spanning 398.1 miles across South Dakota, this trip from Lennox to Spearfish typically takes about 5 hours and 51 minutes of driving time. Because you are navigating local streets like South Main Street, East Boynton Avenue, and North Pine Street rather than sticking to major interstates, you should plan for a full day behind the wheel. Budget approximately $60 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. While this route is manageable as a single-day push, the turn-heavy nature of the local roads means you will need to stay alert throughout the journey. It is a practical choice if you prefer a more hands-on driving experience over the predictability of a highway cruise.
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
198.5 miles from Lennox, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
374.7 mi
5h 56m
SD Highway 17
9.6 mi
16m
463rd Avenue
4.6 mi
8m
466th Avenue
3 mi
5m
265th Street
3 mi
4m
East Jackson Boulevard
0.6 mi
1m
South Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
East Boynton Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 374.7 mi, about 5h 56m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 41 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~594 veh/hr typical
· worst 852
Quietest
2 AM
~26 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
22.8×
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 Lennox, SD and Spearfish, SD.
1
Start on West 2nd Avenue
70 ft·8 sec·West 2nd Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·South Main Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto East Boynton Avenue
0.3 mi·48 sec·East Boynton Avenue
4
Turn left onto CR 105
0.2 mi·17 sec·North Pine Street
5
Continue on CR 105
9.6 mi·16 min·SD Highway 17
6
Continue on CR 145
3.0 mi·5 min·466th Avenue
7
Turn left onto SD 42
3.0 mi·4 min·265th Street
8
Turn right onto CR 151
4.6 mi·8 min·463rd Avenue
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
10
Merge onto I 90
375 mi·5 hr 56 min·I 90
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
Since this is a nearly six-hour journey involving local turns, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the later segments. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $60 budget in mind as you map out service stations. Because the route relies on local streets rather than major highways, check your navigation frequently to ensure you stay on the correct path through town transitions. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; since the drive is a single-day commitment, you can adjust your pace to account for the frequent turns. Prioritize consistent hydration and frequent micro-breaks to maintain your focus on the road ahead.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 198.5 miles from Lennox, SD, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 374.7 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 87 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.5 miles or 3h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 38m
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 Lennox, 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 Lennox, SD
This is one driving day of about 397.1 miles and 6h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Lennox, 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 374.7 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 396.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South Main Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|East Boynton Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto East Boynton Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|CR 105 / North Pine Street
Turn left onto CR 105 / North Pine Street
Navigation decision point
4
13.4 mi into trip|~24m in|SD 42 / 265th Street
Turn left onto SD 42 / 265th Street
Navigation decision point
5
396.1 mi into trip|~6h 34m 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
$58.64 one way
$117.29 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg139 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$64.74
$129.48
premium
$4.72
$73.73
$147.46
diesel
$4.80
$74.98
$149.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119.1
1
$41.70
$19.06
Efficient EV
99.3
1
$34.75
$15.88
EV Truck/SUV
158.8
1
$55.59
$25.41
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (67% 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
Lennox, SD
Evening
in Lennox on Saturday
Local time
8:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Clear
SSE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 7:09PM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Destination
Spearfish, SD
Evening
in Spearfish on Saturday
Local time
7:16 PM
MDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 0 to 3 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 7:09PM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 37m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 356.9
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a typical interstate trek, as this route features zero highway miles and relies entirely on local roads. The profile is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring your full attention as you transition between South Main, East Boynton, and North Pine streets. Because there is no high-speed highway percentage, your pace will remain steady but deliberate as you navigate the regional landscape. You will find that the road demands constant engagement rather than allowing you to settle into a monotonous rhythm. Prepare for a technical drive that rewards drivers who enjoy staying active at the wheel.
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: 374.7 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and SD Highway 17. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Main Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 37m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (East Boynton Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (CR 105 / North Pine Street): Navigation decision point.
Spearfish is in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Although Spearfish is a small community with 14,000 residents, it is the commercial and academic center for several towns in the Black Hills and nearby Wyoming and Montana, attracting more than a million visitors each year with its museums, festivals and natural beauty.
The longest stretch is about 374.7 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Spearfish, 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 24 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: near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (East Boynton Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (CR 105 / North Pine Street): Navigation decision point.
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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Spearfish, SD before the return drive.
