Origin
Brandon, SD
Night in Brandon on Sunday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brandon, SD to Crooks, SD
Drive Time
24m
Distance
16.6 mi
27 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 22m
★
6 AM
0h 24m
8 AM
0h 28m
10 AM
0h 26m
12 PM
0h 25m
3 PM
0h 26m
5 PM
0h 28m
8 PM
0h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brandon, SD
Julio Lopez
Crooks, SD
Luis Quintero
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Brandon and Crooks, this 16.6-mile journey across the South Dakota Great Plains is a straightforward affair. You can expect to spend about 24 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. The route primarily relies on I-90 and I-29, keeping your travel time efficient and predictable. With a fuel budget of just $3, it is a very economical drive for those commuting or visiting between these two communities. Since the entire trip takes place within the same region, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout the short trek.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
8.3 miles from Brandon, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 67% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will quickly settle into a rhythm on the interstate, where the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 9.4 miles on I-90. While the transition from the interstate to 258th Street and eventually I-29 keeps things moving, the experience is largely defined by the steady pace of South Dakota’s road network. Expect a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed over technical maneuvering. It is the type of route where you can easily find your cruising speed and maintain it until you reach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 9.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and 258th Street. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Sylvan Circle.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 16.6 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (East Sylvan Circle): Navigation decision point; near the start (SD 11 / North Splitrock Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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
|
East Sylvan Circle
Turn right onto East Sylvan Circle
Navigation decision point
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SD 11 / North Splitrock Boulevard
Turn right onto SD 11 / North Splitrock Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
4
10.7 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward I 29: Fargo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 29: Fargo
5
12.9 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward Renner, Crooks
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Renner, Crooks
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Brandon, SD to Crooks, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Renner along the way.
Renner
12.9 mi in
|
~15m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| 258th Street | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| I 29 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| North Splitrock Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
| South West Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| 470th Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Sylvan Circle | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Superior Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 9.4 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brandon, SD and Crooks, SD.
1
Start on North Pipestone Street
44 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Pipestone Street
2
Turn right onto East Sylvan Circle
107 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Sylvan Circle
3
Turn right onto SD 11
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Splitrock Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
5
Merge onto I 90
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
I 90
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 29: Fargo
7
Merge onto I 29
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 29
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Renner, Crooks
9
Turn left onto 258th Street
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
258th Street
10
Turn right onto CR 137
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
470th Avenue
11
Continue on CR 137
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South West Avenue
12
Turn right onto Superior Avenue
99 ft
·
4 sec
·
Superior Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
Superior Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 24-minute sprint, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. You won’t need to worry about planning complex rest stops since there are zero scheduled stops on this 16.6-mile path. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you leave Brandon, as that $3 estimate is quite modest and reflects the brevity of the trip. To make the most of your travel, simply ensure your vehicle is ready for the highway speeds of I-90 and I-29 before you pull out of town. The lack of required stops means you can head out exactly when it suits your schedule best.
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 8.3 miles from Brandon, SD, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.4 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 16.6 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.3 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crooks, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brandon, 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 Brandon, SD
This is one driving day of about 16.6 miles and 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brandon, SD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 9.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.3 mi from Brandon, SD · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.3 miles from Brandon, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Crooks, SD
The final approach into Crooks, 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 Crooks, SD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.52 one way
$5.04 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.78 | $5.56 |
| premium | $4.80 | $3.13 | $6.27 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.69 | $7.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5 | 0 | $1.74 | $0.80 |
| Efficient EV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.45 | $0.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.32 | $1.06 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% 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
Crooks, SD
Night in Crooks on Sunday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
24m 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 Brandon, SD to Crooks, SD covers 16.6 miles and takes about 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, 258th Street, I 29. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.3 miles from Brandon, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.52 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 16.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Sylvan Circle): Navigation decision point; near the start (SD 11 / North Splitrock Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Brandon, SD to Crooks, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Renner along the way.
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