This straightforward 107.4-mile drive from Springfield to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 25 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route primarily utilizes SD Highway 46 and I-29, with a small section on SD Highway 52, offering a predominantly highway experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this journey through the heart of the Great Plains is efficient and economical. You'll find yourself navigating well-maintained roads with minimal need for overnight stays, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. This trip is ideal if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated passage between these two South Dakota communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.7 miles from Springfield, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
SD Highway 46
29.4 mi
43m
I 29
27.3 mi
26m
SD Highway 52
12.3 mi
21m
SD Highway 50
11.6 mi
16m
US Highway 81
10 mi
11m
I 229
6.4 mi
7m
SD Highway 37
2.9 mi
5m
Broadway Avenue
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
SD Highway 46
— 29.4 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, SD and Sioux Falls, SD.
1
Start on SD 37P
0.2 mi·33 sec·8th Street
2
Turn left onto SD 37P
0.9 mi·2 min·Walnut Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto SD 37
2.9 mi·5 min·SD Highway 37
4
Turn right onto SD 52
12 mi·21 min·SD Highway 52
5
At end of road, turn right onto SD 50; SD 52
12 mi·16 min·SD Highway 50
6
Continue on SD 50; SD 52 Truck
1.3 mi·2 min·West 31st Street
7
Turn left onto US 81
2.0 mi·2 min·Broadway Avenue
8
Continue on US 81
10 mi·11 min·US Highway 81
9
Turn right onto SD 46
12 mi·17 min·SD Highway 46
10
Continue on SD 46
0.6 mi·54 sec·West Main Street
11
Continue on SD 46
18 mi·26 min·SD Highway 46
12
Continue on SD 46
0.5 mi·55 sec·West Cedar Street
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
14
Merge onto I 29
27 mi·26 min·I 29
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
16
Continue on I 229
6.4 mi·7 min·I 229
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 6Toward 10th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
300 ft·9 sec
Toward SD 42: Downtown, Washington PavilionUse the slight left lane.
19
Turn straight onto I 229 Business; SD 42
527 ft·19 sec·East 10th Street
20
Turn right onto South Lowell Avenue
0.1 mi·22 sec·South Lowell Avenue
21
Turn left onto East 8th Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·East 8th Street
22
Turn right onto North Chicago Avenue
0.1 mi·23 sec·North Chicago Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
North Chicago Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour and 25-minute duration for this 107.4-mile trip, starting your drive in Springfield any time of day works well, offering flexibility. With only an estimated $16 fuel cost, you likely won't need to worry about frequent gas stops. However, it's always wise to top off before departing. The longest stretch without a major road change is 29.4 miles on SD Highway 46, so plan for a brief rest stop before or after this segment if needed. Since this is a straightforward drive primarily on I-29 and state highways, keep an eye out for the well-marked exits leading into Sioux Falls.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.7 miles from Springfield, SD, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.4 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 24 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.7 miles or 1h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sioux Falls, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 107.4 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Springfield, SD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on SD Highway 46 for about 29.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.3 and 107.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
16.3 mi into trip|~29m in|SD 50; SD 52 / SD Highway 50
At end of road, turn right onto SD 50; SD 52 / SD Highway 50
Navigation decision point
8
106.6 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward 10th Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward 10th Street, Downtown
9
106.8 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SD 42: Downtown, Washington Pavilion
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward SD 42: Downtown, Washington Pavilion
5
106.9 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|South Lowell Avenue
Turn right onto South Lowell Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
107.3 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|North Chicago Avenue
Turn right onto North Chicago Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.79 one way
$33.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$18.44
$36.87
premium
$4.89
$20.67
$41.34
diesel
$5.61
$23.71
$47.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.6 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
32.2
0
$11.28
$5.16
Efficient EV
26.9
0
$9.40
$4.30
EV Truck/SUV
43
0
$15.04
$6.87
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Springfield, SD
Night
in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sioux Falls, SD
Night
in Sioux Falls on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
31 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
2h 25m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 93% of this 107.4-mile journey between Springfield and Sioux Falls. While SD Highway 46 forms a significant portion, the bulk of your travel will be on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.4 miles on SD Highway 46, so you'll have plenty of opportunities for passing. The transition between the state highway and the interstate system is generally smooth, offering a consistent driving experience. This route is designed for efficient travel rather than scenic detours, so settle in for a steady pace.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.4 mi on SD Highway 46.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SD Highway 46 and I 29. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 16.3 miles in near SD 50; SD 52 / SD Highway 50.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 107.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 16.3 miles (SD 50; SD 52 / SD Highway 50): Navigation decision point; at 106.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 107.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.4 miles on SD Highway 46. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 16.3 miles (SD 50; SD 52 / SD Highway 50): Navigation decision point; at 106.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sioux Falls, SD before heading back.
