Sioux Falls to Hill City is 375.2 miles and takes about 6h 10m via I 90, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the rolling Great Plains of eastern South Dakota into the western part of the same region, but with a distinct shift in landscape as you approach the Black Hills. It's a straightforward path, mostly on the interstate, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct drive. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on the interstate, so plan for a consistent pace. Consider this a good choice for a single-day transit, especially if you want to maximize your time at your destination.
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
187.6 miles from Sioux Falls, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
338.5 mi
5h 19m
South Highway 16
17.5 mi
21m
North Elk Vale Road
5.4 mi
7m
I 229 Business
4.2 mi
5m
Highway 385
3 mi
4m
Catron Boulevard
2.2 mi
3m
East Catron Boulevard
1.2 mi
1m
Mount Rushmore Road
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 338.5 mi, about 5h 19m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 25 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~319 veh/hr typical
· worst 563
Quietest
2 AM
~22 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.5×
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 Sioux Falls, SD and Hill City, SD.
1
Start on North Chicago Avenue
0.1 mi·29 sec·North Chicago Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto East 8th Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·East 8th Street
3
Turn right onto North Lowell Avenue
0.1 mi·19 sec·North Lowell Avenue
4
Turn left onto I 229 Business; SD 42
0.1 mi·24 sec·East 10th Street
5
Take the ramp onto I 229 Business
4.2 mi·5 min·I 229 Business
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 90
7
Merge onto I 90
339 mi·5 hr 19 min·I 90
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 16 Truck, ND 79 South: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
10
Continue on US 16 Truck; SD 79
5.4 mi·7 min·North Elk Vale Road
11
Continue on US 16 Truck
1.2 mi·1 min·East Catron Boulevard
12
Continue on US 16 Truck
2.2 mi·3 min·Catron Boulevard
13
Turn left onto US 16
1.1 mi·1 min·Mount Rushmore Road
14
Continue on US 16
18 mi·21 min·South Highway 16
15
Continue on US 16
3.0 mi·4 min·Highway 385
16
Continue on US 16; US 385
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
17
Turn left onto Elm Street
62 ft·3 sec·Elm Street
18
Arrive at destination
Elm Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 10m estimated drive time, leaving Sioux Falls in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Hill City with plenty of daylight. The drive is long enough that you'll want to take at least one break, and with 338.5 miles on I 90, this interstate stretch is the perfect place to find services. Keep an eye on your fuel; while the estimated cost is $66, it's always wise to top off before embarking on such a long, consistent highway stretch. Since this route is manageable in a single day, you have flexibility in your departure time, but an early start will make for a more relaxed arrival.
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 187.6 miles from Sioux Falls, SD, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 338.5 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 83 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.6 miles or 3h 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hill City, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls, SD
This is one driving day of about 375.2 miles and 6h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Sioux Falls, 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 338.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 343.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East 8th Street
At end of road, turn left onto East 8th Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
4
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|North Lowell Avenue
Turn right onto North Lowell Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|I 229 Business
Take the ramp onto I 229 Business
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
343.5 mi into trip|~5h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 16 Truck, ND 79 South: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 16 Truck, ND 79 South: Mount Rushmore...
5
343.8 mi into trip|~5h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.41 one way
$110.82 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$61.17
$122.34
premium
$4.72
$69.66
$139.33
diesel
$4.80
$70.84
$141.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.6
1
$39.40
$18.01
Efficient EV
93.8
1
$32.83
$15.01
EV Truck/SUV
150.1
1
$52.53
$24.01
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% 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
Sioux Falls, SD
Evening
in Sioux Falls on Saturday
Local time
8:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Clear
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:31AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:50AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Aberdeen SD
Destination
Hill City, SD
Evening
in Hill City on Saturday
Local time
7:14 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:31AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:50AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Aberdeen 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
8 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 10m 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 362.2
Immerse yourself in one of the longest caves in the world. With over 220 miles of mapped and surveyed passages, this underground wilderness appeals to human curiosity. Its splendor is revealed through...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 375.2
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$30
near mile 297.5
Wind Cave National Park protects two very different worlds - one deep within the earth, the other a sunlit world of many resources. Bison, elk, and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands a...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 362.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on the interstate, with 97% of the route on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 338.5 miles on I 90 before transitioning to surface roads like South Highway 16 and North Elk Vale Road. Expect consistent cruising for most of the trip, with the highway section offering a predictable driving experience. The shift to surface roads will likely occur in the final miles as you approach Hill City.
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: 338.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and South Highway 16. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East 8th 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 10m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East 8th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (North Lowell Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (I 229 Business): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,985 ft1,368 ft
Total Climb
3,823 ft
Total Descent
309 ft
Highest Point
4,985 ft
~375.2 mi in
Elevation Range
3,617 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Sioux Falls, SD to Hill City, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Crazy Horse along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•South Dakota State Penitentiary — prison in South Dakota, United States of America
•Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science — museum, theater, concert hall, and art gallery in downtown Sioux Falls, South Da...
•Sioux Falls National Bank Building — office building in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Hill City, in the Black Hills of western South Dakota, is known as the "Heart of the Hills", as it is close to the geographical center of the Black Hills.
The longest stretch is about 338.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 Hill City, 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 25 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: at 0.1 miles (East 8th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (North Lowell Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (I 229 Business): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Jewel Cave National Monument and Badlands National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hill City, SD before the return drive.
