Origin
Springfield, SD
Night in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 19m
Distance
100.7 mi
162 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Harrisburg, SD
Wikimedia Commons
This 100.7-mile drive from Springfield to Harrisburg, South Dakota, is a manageable 2-hour and 19-minute trip, making it an ideal day trip. With 89% of the journey on highways, you'll be covering ground efficiently. The estimated fuel cost is around $15, which is quite reasonable for a trip of this length. You'll primarily navigate via SD Highway 46 and I-29, offering a straightforward path through the Great Plains region. Given its short duration, this route is best tackled in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.4 miles from Springfield, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SD Highway 46 | 29.4 mi | 43m |
| I 29 | 20.3 mi | 19m |
| SD Highway 52 | 12.3 mi | 21m |
| SD Highway 50 | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| US Highway 81 | 10 mi | 11m |
| 276th Street | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| SD Highway 115 | 3 mi | 3m |
| SD Highway 37 | 2.9 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, SD and Harrisburg, SD.
Start on SD 37P
Turn left onto SD 37P
At end of road, turn right onto SD 37
Turn right onto SD 52
At end of road, turn right onto SD 50; SD 52
Continue on SD 50; SD 52 Truck
Turn left onto US 81
Continue on US 81
Turn right onto SD 46
Continue on SD 46
Continue on SD 46
Continue on SD 46
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 29
Take the exit
Turn right onto CR 116
Turn left onto SD 115
Turn right onto CR 110
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short 2-hour duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, offering plenty of flexibility for when you depart. You won't need to worry about extensive stops, though it's always wise to plan for a fuel top-off before you leave Springfield, especially since the longest stretch without a major road change is nearly 30 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Harrisburg, and consider a quick break if needed. The $15 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but always factor in slight variations.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 22 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.4 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harrisburg, SD than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Springfield, 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 Springfield, SD
This is one driving day of about 100.7 miles and 2h 19m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 50.4 miles from Springfield, 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 1.1 and 71.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn right onto SD 37 / SD Highway 37
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto SD 52 / SD Highway 52
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto SD 50; SD 52 / SD Highway 50
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto SD 46 / SD Highway 46
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$15.74 one way
$31.49 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $17.29 | $34.57 |
| premium | $4.89 | $19.38 | $38.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.23 | $44.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.57 | $4.83 |
| Efficient EV | 25.2 | 0 | $8.81 | $4.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.10 | $6.44 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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 Springfield on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Harrisburg on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
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
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with the majority of your travel occurring on higher-speed roads. While SD Highway 46 forms the initial part of your journey, a significant portion will be on I-29, which accounts for much of the 89% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.4 miles on SD Highway 46, offering a period of consistent travel before merging onto other main roads. The drive generally maintains a steady pace, suitable for covering distance efficiently.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SD Highway 46 and I 29. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near SD 37 / SD Highway 37.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 19m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (SD 37 / SD Highway 37): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles (SD 52 / SD Highway 52): Navigation decision point; at 16.3 miles (SD 50; SD 52 / SD Highway 50): Navigation decision point.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 100.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). 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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