Origin
Brandon, SD
Evening in Brandon on Sunday
Local time
6:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brandon, SD to Parkston, SD
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
96.5 mi
155 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brandon, SD
Julio Lopez
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Brandon to Parkston, you are looking at a straightforward 96.5-mile journey across the South Dakota Great Plains. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 46 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable one-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it is an economical route that requires minimal logistical planning. Because the drive is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have additional business in the area. Navigating through the heart of the region, this trip keeps you primarily on major thoroughfares. It is a practical choice for those who prefer efficient, direct travel over winding backroads.
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
48.2 miles from Brandon, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will kick off the trip with a significant 73.8-mile stretch on I-90, which allows for consistent, uninterrupted cruising. After transitioning off the interstate, you will conclude the journey using SD Highway 37 and South Highway 37 to reach Parkston. The personality of this drive is defined by steady, open-road travel rather than technical turns or complex navigation. Expect a seamless transition from the interstate to the state highway system as you wrap up the final leg of your 96.5-mile trek.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 73.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and SD Highway 37. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Sylvan Circle.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Brandon, SD to Parkston, SD is easy. At 1h 46m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 6 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
75.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
I 90 Business
Take the exit onto I 90 Business toward Mitchell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Mitchell
5
75.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
I 90 Business
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 Business
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Brandon, SD to Parkston, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Mitchell along the way.
Mitchell
75.1 mi in
|
~1h 13m
|
via I 90 Business
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 73.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| SD Highway 37 | 19 mi | 28m |
| South Highway 37 | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Splitrock Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
| West Glynn Drive | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Burr Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| I 90 Business | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Sylvan Circle | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 73.8 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brandon, SD and Parkston, 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
74 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 90
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto I 90 Business
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
I 90 Business
Toward Mitchell
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 Business
130 ft
·
5 sec
·
I 90 Business
8
Continue on I 90 Business
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
South Burr Street
9
Continue on SD 37
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Highway 37
10
Continue on SD 37
19 mi
·
28 min
·
SD Highway 37
11
Turn left onto West Glynn Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Glynn Drive
12
Arrive at destination
East Glynn Drive
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick drive under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 96.5-mile distance in one go without needing to schedule formal rest stops, though staying hydrated is always a good practice. Given that you will be spending the vast majority of your time on I-90, keep a steady pace and be mindful of traffic flow during peak hours. Budgeting roughly $15 for fuel is a safe bet, but filling up your tank before leaving Brandon ensures you won't have to worry about finding a station while on the interstate. Use the simplicity of the highway-heavy route to your advantage by planning your arrival in Parkston around your specific local appointments.
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 48.2 miles from Brandon, SD, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.2 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Parkston, 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 96.5 miles and 1h 46m.
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 73.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.2 mi from Brandon, SD · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.2 miles from Brandon, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.8 miles.
Arriving in Parkston, SD
The final approach into Parkston, 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 Parkston, 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
$14.66 one way
$29.31 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $16.16 | $32.32 |
| premium | $4.80 | $18.22 | $36.43 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.44 | $42.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29 | 0 | $10.13 | $4.63 |
| Efficient EV | 24.1 | 0 | $8.44 | $3.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.51 | $6.18 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Parkston, SD
Evening in Parkston on Sunday
Local time
6:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
38°F
Madison, SD
48 mi in
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
33 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
1h 46m 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 Parkston, SD covers 96.5 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, SD Highway 37, South Highway 37. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.2 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 $14.66 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 Brandon, SD to Parkston, SD is easy. At 1h 46m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 Parkston, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Mitchell along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Parkston, SD
Explore more options from Brandon, SD or browse trips ending in Parkston, SD.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SD road trips.
Explore maps for Brandon, SD or Parkston, SD on MapSof.net.