Trip from Box Elder, SD to Tyndall, SD

Drive Time

5h 34m

Distance

320.7 mi

516 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 21m ★
6 AM
5h 35m
8 AM
6h 1m
10 AM
5h 44m
12 PM
5h 41m
3 PM
5h 45m
5 PM
6h 0m
8 PM
5h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Box Elder, SD, SD

Box Elder, SD

James Owen

Downtown Tyndall, SD, SD

Tyndall, SD

Julio Lopez

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Box Elder to Tyndall, expect a 320.7-mile journey that spans approximately 5 hours and 34 minutes behind the wheel. This route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of South Dakota, making it a straightforward trip that is manageable as a single-day drive. You will primarily utilize I-90 before transitioning to SD Highway 37 and SD Highway 50 to reach your destination. With a fuel budget of roughly $49, this is a cost-effective trek for those looking to cross the state. While it is certainly doable in one day, the duration means you should prepare for a significant amount of time on the road. It serves as a practical, highway-focused connection between these two points.

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

160.3 miles from Box Elder, SD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily dominated by high-speed travel, with 99% of the route consisting of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-90, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 264.5 miles. Once you exit the interstate, the character of the drive shifts as you transition onto SD Highway 37 and SD Highway 50 to complete the final leg. You should expect a steady, consistent pace that favors efficiency over technical maneuvering. Because the route is so highway-dependent, you can maintain a predictable rhythm for nearly the entire duration of the trip.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 264.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and SD Highway 37. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Oak Street.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 5h 34m 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: near the start (Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Highway 1416): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (Liberty Boulevard): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Oak Street

Turn left onto Oak Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Highway 1416

Turn right onto Highway 1416

Navigation decision point

4
1 mi into trip | ~2m in | Liberty Boulevard

Turn left onto Liberty Boulevard

Navigation decision point

5
1.7 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 90; US 14

Merge onto I 90; US 14

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
266.5 mi into trip | ~4h 12m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Box Elder, SD to Tyndall, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Mitchell along the way.

Mitchell

266.2 mi in | ~4h 11m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 264.5 mi 4h 8m
SD Highway 37 47.1 mi 1h 10m
SD Highway 50 3.7 mi 5m
303rd Street 1.3 mi 3m
South Highway 37 1 mi 1m
Highway 1416 0.9 mi 1m
West 20th Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
South Burr Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 264.5 mi, about 4h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Box Elder, SD and Tyndall, SD.

1

Start on Front Street

94 ft · 9 sec · Front Street
2

Turn left onto Oak Street

365 ft · 18 sec · Oak Street
3

Turn right onto Highway 1416

0.9 mi · 1 min · Highway 1416
4

Turn left onto Liberty Boulevard

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Liberty Boulevard
5

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
6

Merge onto I 90; US 14

265 mi · 4 hr 8 min · I 90; US 14
Use the none lane.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward Mitchell
8

Keep slight right at fork

190 ft · 4 sec
9

Turn slight right onto SD 37

0.3 mi · 25 sec · South Burr Street
10

Continue on SD 37

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Highway 37
11

Continue on SD 37

47 mi · 1 hr 10 min · SD Highway 37
12

Turn left onto SD 37; SD 50

3.7 mi · 5 min · SD Highway 50
13

Turn left onto CR 303

1.3 mi · 3 min · 303rd Street
14

Continue on West 20th Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · West 20th Avenue
15

Turn right onto Main Street

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Main Street
16

Turn right onto West 18th Avenue

50 ft · 2 sec · West 18th Avenue
17

Arrive at destination

West 18th Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 320.7-mile drive, aim for an early morning departure to ensure you reach Tyndall comfortably before dark. Since the route allows for only one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs after the long 264.5-mile stretch on I-90. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the interstate portion to ensure you are ready for the switch to local highways. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the flexibility of a one-day trip is a major advantage, allowing you to bypass the need for an overnight stay. Always check your tire pressure and fluid levels before heading out, as the sustained highway speeds will keep your vehicle working steadily for over five hours.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 160.3 miles from Box Elder, SD, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 264.5 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 80 miles or 1h 17m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 160.3 miles or 2h 32m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tyndall, SD than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Box Elder, 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 Box Elder, SD

This is one driving day of about 320.7 miles and 5h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Box Elder, 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 264.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 160.3 mi from Box Elder, SD · 2h 32m into the drive

Downtown Fort Thompson, SD, SD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fort Thompson, SD

160 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Pierre, SD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fort Thompson, SD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 160.3 miles from Box Elder, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 264.5 miles.

Arriving in Tyndall, SD

The final approach into Tyndall, SD usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Tyndall, SD.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.71 one way

$97.42 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 112 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $53.70 $107.40
premium $4.80 $60.54 $121.08
diesel $5.64 $71.25 $142.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$49

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 112.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 96.2 1 $33.67 $15.39
Efficient EV 80.2 0 $28.06 $12.83
EV Truck/SUV 128.3 1 $44.90 $20.52

Gas CO2

112 kg

EV CO2

38 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Box Elder, SD

Evening in Box Elder on Sunday

Local time

6:21 PM

MDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tyndall, SD

Evening in Tyndall on Sunday

Local time

7:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°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

1 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

5h 34m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Box Elder, SD to Tyndall, SD covers 320.7 miles and takes about 5h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, SD Highway 37, SD Highway 50. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 160.3 miles from Box Elder, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.71 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 34m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Highway 1416): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (Liberty Boulevard): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Box Elder, SD to Tyndall, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Mitchell along the way.

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Return Trip

Tyndall, SD to Box Elder, SD

Plan the drive back the other way.

321 mi 5h 35m

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