Origin
Brandon, SD
Night in Brandon on Wednesday
Local time
11:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brandon, SD to Rapid City, SD
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 49m
Distance
351.9 mi
566 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 36m
★
6 AM
4h 49m
8 AM
5h 16m
10 AM
4h 59m
12 PM
4h 56m
3 PM
5h 0m
5 PM
5h 15m
8 PM
4h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brandon, SD
Patrick
Rapid City, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking from Brandon, South Dakota, to Rapid City, South Dakota, covers 351.9 miles, taking approximately 4 hours and 49 minutes of pure driving time. This journey, estimated to cost around $53 in fuel, is best tackled as a single-day trip, with just one recommended stop. The route primarily utilizes local roads before transitioning to I-190, offering a turn-heavy local drive experience. You'll traverse the consistent Great Plains region throughout your travels, so expect a consistent landscape. This trip is ideal for those looking for a straightforward drive across the state.
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
176 miles from Brandon, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' with a 0% highway share, meaning you won't be on interstates for extended periods. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the profile suggests a route that requires frequent attention to navigation and speed adjustments due to numerous turns. You'll be navigating local roads for the majority of the 351.9 miles, so be prepared for a less predictable pace compared to highway driving. This road's personality is about engaging with the local infrastructure rather than cruising on high-speed byways.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Sylvan Circle is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 49m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Brandon, SD to Rapid City, SD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Sylvan Circle | — | — |
| North Splitrock Boulevard | — | — |
| I 190 | — | — |
| Omaha Street | — | — |
| Mount Rushmore Road | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East Sylvan Circle
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brandon, SD and Rapid City, SD.
1
Start on North Pipestone Street
43 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Pipestone Street
2
Turn right onto East Sylvan Circle
108 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Sylvan Circle
3
Turn right onto North Splitrock Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Splitrock Boulevard
4
Take the ramp left
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
5
Merge slight left
349 mi
·
5 hr 31 min
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 190, US 16: Downtown, Black Hawk National Forest, Mount Rushmore
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 190, US 16: Downtown, Black Hawk National Forest, Mount Rushmore
7
Continue straight
1.4 mi
·
1 min
8
Turn left onto Omaha Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Omaha Street
9
Turn right onto Mount Rushmore Road
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Mount Rushmore Road
10
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 49-minute duration, this trip is comfortably achievable in one day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. With only one recommended stop for the entire 351.9 miles, you can easily manage your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $53, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially since you'll be on local roads for much of the journey. A practical tip for this route is to ensure your GPS is updated, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile indicates a need for precise navigation.
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 176 miles from Brandon, SD, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
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 77 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176 miles or 2h 24m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rapid City, 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 351.9 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Brandon, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 176 mi from Brandon, SD · 2h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
176 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 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 176 miles from Brandon, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Rapid City, SD
The final approach into Rapid City, 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 Rapid City, 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
$55.02 one way
$110.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
123 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $60.40 | $120.81 |
| premium | $4.89 | $67.72 | $135.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $77.70 | $155.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 105.6 | 1 | $36.95 | $16.89 |
| Efficient EV | 88 | 1 | $30.79 | $14.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 140.8 | 1 | $49.27 | $22.52 |
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Destination
Rapid City, SD
Night in Rapid City on Wednesday
Local time
10:59 PM
MDT
Current temp
78°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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
31 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
4h 49m 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 Brandon, SD to Rapid City, SD covers 351.9 miles and takes about 4h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Sylvan Circle, North Splitrock Boulevard, I 190. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 176 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 $55.02 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 4h 49m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Brandon, SD to Rapid City, SD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Brandon, SD to Rapid City, SD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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