Sturgis, SD to Lennox, SD is 377.4 miles and takes about 6h 16m via I 90 and South SD Highway 17, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Great Plains drive is almost entirely on highways, making it a straightforward journey. You'll be covering a significant distance within South Dakota, so be prepared for a solid day of driving. With only one recommended stop and a short duration, this route is best suited for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
188.7 miles from Sturgis, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
354.7 mi
5h 36m
South SD Highway 17
9.6 mi
16m
463rd Avenue
4.4 mi
7m
466th Avenue
3 mi
5m
265th Street
3 mi
4m
Junction Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
North Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
East Boynton Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 354.7 mi, about 5h 36m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 37 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~568 veh/hr typical
· worst 800
Quietest
2 AM
~27 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21×
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 Sturgis, SD and Lennox, SD.
1
Start on Edmunds Street
13 ft·6 sec·Edmunds Street
2
Turn left onto I 90 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·Junction Avenue
3
Take the ramp onto I 90 Business
0.3 mi·38 sec·I 90 Business
4
Merge onto I 90; US 14; SD 79
25 mi·25 min·I 90; US 14; SD 79
5
Continue on I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79
329 mi·5 hr 10 min·I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
7
Keep slight right at fork
247 ft·6 sec
8
Turn straight onto CR 151
4.4 mi·7 min·463rd Avenue
9
Turn left onto SD 42
3.0 mi·4 min·265th Street
10
Turn right onto CR 145
3.0 mi·5 min·466th Avenue
11
Continue on CR 105
9.6 mi·16 min·South SD Highway 17
12
Continue on CR 105
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Pine Street
13
Turn right onto East Boynton Avenue
0.3 mi·48 sec·East Boynton Avenue
14
Turn left onto North Main Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·North Main Street
15
Turn right onto West 2nd Avenue
70 ft·3 sec·West 2nd Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
West 2nd Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 16m estimated duration, departing in the morning is your best bet to complete this 377.4-mile drive within daylight hours. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway mark or when you feel ready for a stretch. The fuel cost is estimated at $59, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Sturgis. Since this is a single-day trip, flexibility is key; however, be aware that the longest stretch on I 90 is over 350 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before entering such a long segment.
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 188.7 miles from Sturgis, SD, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 354.7 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 188.7 miles or 3h 1m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lennox, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sturgis, 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 Sturgis, SD
This is one driving day of about 377.4 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Sturgis, 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 354.7 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 376.7 — 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|I 90 Business / Junction Avenue
Turn left onto I 90 Business / Junction Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
356.5 mi into trip|~5h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
360.9 mi into trip|~5h 47m in|SD 42 / 265th Street
Turn left onto SD 42 / 265th Street
Navigation decision point
4
363.9 mi into trip|~5h 52m in|CR 145 / 466th Avenue
Turn right onto CR 145 / 466th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
376.7 mi into trip|~6h 14m in|East Boynton Avenue
Turn right onto East Boynton Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.75 one way
$125.49 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$68.35
$136.70
premium
$5.18
$77.01
$154.02
diesel
$5.35
$79.49
$158.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
113.2
1
$39.63
$18.12
Efficient EV
94.4
1
$33.02
$15.10
EV Truck/SUV
151
1
$52.84
$24.15
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Sturgis, SD
Afternoon
in Sturgis on Wednesday
Local time
1:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
56°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 9 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lennox, SD
Afternoon
in Lennox on Wednesday
Local time
2:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 to 15 mph18% chanceLive 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
26 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
6h 16m 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...
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
$30
near mile 78.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey on major roads like I 90. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 354.7 miles on I 90, which means long periods of consistent speed. While the majority is interstate, you'll transition to South SD Highway 17 and 463rd Avenue as you near your destination, offering a slight change in scenery. Expect a profile that is largely consistent, allowing for a predictable driving pace for most of the 6h 16m trip.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 354.7 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 SD Highway 17. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 90 Business / Junction Avenue.
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 16m, 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 (I 90 Business / Junction Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 356.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 360.9 miles (SD 42 / 265th Street): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,426 ft1,376 ft
Total Climb
30 ft
Total Descent
2,050 ft
Highest Point
3,426 ft
Elevation Range
2,050 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
The longest stretch is about 354.7 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Lennox, 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 24 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: near the start (I 90 Business / Junction Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 356.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 360.9 miles (SD 42 / 265th Street): Navigation decision point.
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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lennox, SD before the return drive.
