Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
33m
Distance
20.1 mi
32 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mission, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Saint Francis, SD
Jo Kassis
Mission, SD to Saint Francis, SD is 20.1 miles and takes about 33 minutes via BIA 1, with a fuel budget near $3 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays within the Great Plains region, connecting two points in South Dakota. Expect a local, turn-heavy driving experience rather than a high-speed transit. It’s a quick journey, perfect for a day trip when you're in the area and need to make this specific connection.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BIA 1 | 7.3 mi | 12m |
| Blue Star Memorial Highway/Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 1 | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Rosebud Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| 2nd Street | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Sioux Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Legion Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Mission, SD and Saint Francis, SD.
Start on US 18; US 83
Continue on US 18; US 83
Turn left onto BIA 1
Continue on BIA 1
Continue on BIA 1
Continue on BIA 1
Turn straight onto BIA 1
Turn right onto BIA 1; BIA 7
Continue on BIA 1; BIA 7
Continue on BIA 1
Continue on BIA 1
Arrive at destination
2 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 12.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto BIA 1 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 1
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto BIA 1; BIA 7 / Legion Avenue
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$3.34 one way
$6.68 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $3.64 | $7.28 |
| premium | $5.18 | $4.10 | $8.20 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $4.23 | $8.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6 | 0 | $2.11 | $0.96 |
| Efficient EV | 5 | 0 | $1.76 | $0.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8 | 0 | $2.81 | $1.29 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Afternoon in Mission on Wednesday
Local time
2:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:28PM CDT until June 1 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Aberdeen SD
Destination
Afternoon in Saint Francis on Wednesday
Local time
2:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Clear
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:28PM CDT until June 1 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Aberdeen SD
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.
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with only 21% of the journey on highways. The longest stretch without a turn is 7.3 miles, primarily on BIA 1. You'll navigate a series of local roads, so be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction. The terrain remains consistent with the Great Plains profile throughout the short distance.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in near BIA 1 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 1.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Mission, SD to Saint Francis, SD is easy. At 33m with 21% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles (BIA 1 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 1): Navigation decision point; at 12.4 miles (BIA 1; BIA 7 / Legion Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
548 ft
Total Descent
141 ft
Highest Point
2,990 ft
~18.7 mi in
Elevation Range
409 ft
Founded 1915
Rosebud is the main town on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Other towns on the reservation include Mission and St. Francis.
Rosebud is the main town on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Other towns on the reservation include Mission and St. Francis.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 33m. Total distance: 20.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (21%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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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