Origin
Arlington, SD
Evening in Arlington on Wednesday
Local time
6:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, SD to Lake Preston, SD
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
16m
Distance
12.6 mi
20 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 15m
★
6 AM
0h 17m
8 AM
0h 19m
10 AM
0h 18m
12 PM
0h 17m
3 PM
0h 18m
5 PM
0h 19m
8 PM
0h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, SD
Lacza
Lake Preston, SD
Lisa from Pexels
Trip Overview
This quick 12.6-mile trip between Arlington and Lake Preston, South Dakota, will take you about 16 minutes to complete. Designed as a single-day excursion, it's primarily a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the journey on major roads. You can expect to spend around $2 on fuel for this short hop across the Great Plains. With no planned stops in the data, this is a straightforward transit, perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently within the same state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
6.3 miles from Arlington, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
The majority of this route, a substantial 11.3 miles, unfolds along US Highway 14, defining its highway-focused character. You'll experience mostly high-speed travel, with local roads like 1st Street Northeast and West Elm Street making up the remaining 10%. This drive offers a consistent pace for the most part, allowing you to cover ground quickly. Expect a straightforward driving experience with minimal distractions on this predominantly highway stretch.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 6 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 14 is the longest continuous segment at about 11.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 14 and 1st Street Northeast. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 14 / West Elm Street.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Arlington, SD to Lake Preston, SD is easy. At 16m with 90% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 14 / West Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.4 miles (Main Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
2 of 2 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 14 / West Elm Street
Turn right onto US 14 / West Elm Street
Navigation decision point
3
12.4 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
Main Avenue North
Turn right onto Main Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 14 | 11.3 mi | 13m |
| 1st Street Northeast | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Elm Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Main Avenue North | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 14
— 11.3 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, SD and Lake Preston, SD.
1
Start on North Main Street
112 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 14
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Elm Street
3
Continue on US 14
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 14
4
Continue on US 14
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street Northeast;1st Street Southeast
5
Turn right onto Main Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Main Avenue North
6
Arrive at destination
Main Avenue North
Trip Plan
Given its short 16-minute duration and 12.6-mile length, this drive offers excellent flexibility. You won't need to worry about splitting the journey or making extensive rest stops. Departing at your convenience is easy, and the estimated $2 fuel cost makes budgeting simple. Pay attention to signage as you transition between US Highway 14 and local streets in Lake Preston to ensure a smooth arrival at your destination.
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 6.3 miles from Arlington, SD, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.3 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 12.6 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.3 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Preston, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Arlington, SD.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington, SD
This is one driving day of about 12.6 miles and 16m.
At 12.6 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 14 for about 11.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.3 mi from Arlington, SD · 8m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.3 miles from Arlington, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lake Preston, SD
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Lake Preston, SD if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.97 one way
$3.94 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $2.16 | $4.33 |
| premium | $4.89 | $2.42 | $4.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.78 | $5.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.32 | $0.60 |
| Efficient EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.10 | $0.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5 | 0 | $1.76 | $0.81 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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.
Destination
Lake Preston, SD
Evening in Lake Preston on Wednesday
Local time
6:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
26 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
16m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arlington, SD to Lake Preston, SD covers 12.6 miles and takes about 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 14, 1st Street Northeast, West Elm Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.3 miles from Arlington, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.97 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Arlington, SD to Lake Preston, SD is easy. At 16m with 90% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 14 / West Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.4 miles (Main Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
The route from Arlington, SD to Lake Preston, SD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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