Spearfish to North Sioux City is 467.6 miles and takes about 7h 31m via I 90 and I 29, with a fuel budget near $73 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape for the entire journey. It's primarily a highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. With just two recommended stops and a long stretch on I 90, it's designed for covering distance, so plan accordingly for your comfort.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
233.8 miles from Spearfish, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
383.9 mi
6h 5m
I 29
81 mi
1h 18m
River Drive
1 mi
1m
East Jackson Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Military Road
0.2 mi
<1m
North Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 383.9 mi, about 6h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spearfish, SD and North Sioux City, SD.
1
Start on I 90 Business
85 ft·30 sec·North Main Street
2
Continue on I 90 Business
166 ft·9 sec·North Main Street
3
Turn right onto East Jackson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·East Jackson Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 90 East, US 85 South
5
Merge onto I 90; US 14; US 85
14 mi·14 min·I 90; US 14; US 85
6
Continue on I 90; US 14; SD 34
7.6 mi·7 min·I 90; US 14; SD 34
7
Continue on I 90; US 14; SD 79
24 mi·24 min·I 90; US 14; SD 79
8
Continue on I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79
338 mi·5 hr 19 min·I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
10
Merge onto I 29
81 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 29
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward North Sioux City
12
Turn left onto River Drive
1.0 mi·1 min·River Drive
13
Turn left onto Military Road
0.2 mi·23 sec·Military Road
14
Arrive at destination
Military Road
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 31m estimated drive time and 467.6 miles, starting early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. With only two recommended stops, be sure to plan them strategically to break up the longest stretch of 383.9 miles on I 90. The fuel cost is estimated at $73, so monitor your fuel gauge, especially during the longer interstate segments. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but consider an early departure to avoid late-night driving.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 233.8 miles from Spearfish, SD, or about 3h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 383.9 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 103 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 233.8 miles or 3h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Sioux City, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Spearfish, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Spearfish, SD
This is one driving day of about 467.6 miles and 7h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 103 miles from Spearfish, SD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 383.9 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 466.5 — 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|East Jackson Boulevard
Turn right onto East Jackson Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
0.6 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 90 East, US 85 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East, US 85 South
5
385.2 mi into trip|~6h 9m in|I 29
Merge onto I 29
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
466.2 mi into trip|~7h 28m in
Take the exit toward North Sioux City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward North Sioux City
4
466.5 mi into trip|~7h 28m in|River Drive
Turn left onto River Drive
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$73.10 one way
$146.21 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg164 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$80.27
$160.53
premium
$4.89
$89.99
$179.97
diesel
$5.61
$103.24
$206.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$73
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 163.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
140.3
1
$49.10
$22.44
Efficient EV
116.9
1
$40.92
$18.70
EV Truck/SUV
187
2
$65.46
$29.93
Gas CO2
164 kg
EV CO2
55 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Spearfish, SD
Evening
in Spearfish on Saturday
Local time
7:12 PM
MDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North Sioux City, SD
Evening
in North Sioux City on Saturday
Local time
8:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 31m 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 48.4
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 96.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with a 99% highway share. You'll spend most of your time on interstates, specifically I 90 for a significant portion. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 383.9 miles on I 90, meaning you'll have extended periods of consistent driving. Expect a straightforward path across the Great Plains, with minimal deviations from the main interstate system until you reach your destination.
99% 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: 383.9 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 29. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Jackson Boulevard.
Driving Effort4/10
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 7h 31m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 9 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Jackson Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 385.2 miles (I 29): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 31m. Total distance: 467.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 383.9 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 North Sioux 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 (East Jackson Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 385.2 miles (I 29): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at North Sioux City, SD before the return drive.
