Origin
Brandon, SD
Afternoon in Brandon on Sunday
Local time
4:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brandon, SD to Sioux Falls, SD
Drive Time
16m
Distance
12 mi
19 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 15m
★
6 AM
0h 16m
8 AM
0h 19m
10 AM
0h 17m
12 PM
0h 17m
3 PM
0h 17m
5 PM
0h 19m
8 PM
0h 15m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brandon, SD
Julio Lopez
Sioux Falls, SD
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking to get from Brandon to Sioux Falls, this 12-mile trek is a quick, straightforward journey across the Great Plains. You can easily complete the drive in about 16 minutes, making it a perfect day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a fuel cost of only $2, it is a highly economical route for those moving between these two South Dakota locations. By relying on a combination of I-90, I-229, and North Splitrock Boulevard, you will find the transition between the two cities seamless. Since both areas are situated within the same region, you can expect a consistent landscape throughout the entire trip.
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
6 miles from Brandon, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is efficient and functional, with 83% of your travel time spent on major routes. You will find that the personality of the road is defined by its speed and directness rather than winding curves. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 5.8 miles on I-90, allowing you to settle into a steady pace quickly. As you navigate the transition from local roads like North Splitrock Boulevard onto the interstate, the character shifts from a suburban feel to a standard high-speed highway experience. It is a no-nonsense trip designed to get you to your destination with minimal fuss.
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 5.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 229. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near I 90.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 12 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: at 1.3 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.2 miles (I 229 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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.
7
7.1 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward I 229 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 400
Toward I 229 South
8
11.2 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 229 Business
Take the exit onto I 229 Business toward 10th Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward 10th Street, Downtown
9
11.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 229 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto I 229 Business toward SD 42: Downtown, Washington Pavilion
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward SD 42: Downtown, Washington Pavilion
5
11.6 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
South Lowell Avenue
Turn right onto South Lowell Avenue
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Brandon, SD to Sioux Falls, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
Downtown
11.2 mi in
|
~14m
|
via I 229 Business
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 5.8 mi | 5m |
| I 229 | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| North Splitrock Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
| I 229 Business | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East 8th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Lowell Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Chicago Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Sylvan Circle | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 5.8 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brandon, SD and Sioux Falls, 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
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
I 90
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 400
Toward I 229 South
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on I 229
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 229
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit onto I 229 Business
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
I 229 Business
Exit 6
Toward 10th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 229 Business
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
I 229 Business
Toward SD 42: Downtown, Washington Pavilion
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto South Lowell Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
South Lowell Avenue
11
Turn left onto East 8th Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
East 8th Street
12
Turn right onto North Chicago Avenue
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Chicago Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
North Chicago Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this is such a short 12-mile run, you have maximum flexibility in your schedule, allowing you to depart whenever it suits your plans. You will not need to worry about planning any stops, as the duration is brief enough to complete in one go. Keep in mind that since the entire journey takes less than 20 minutes, your fuel consumption will be minimal, keeping your costs around $2. Since you will be spending the majority of your time on the highway, ensure your vehicle is ready for consistent speeds before merging onto I-90. Use the brevity of the trip to your advantage by planning your arrival in Sioux Falls for whatever time best aligns with your afternoon or evening activities.
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 miles from Brandon, SD, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.8 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 12 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sioux Falls, 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 12 miles and 16m.
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 5.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6 mi from Brandon, SD · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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
Arriving in Sioux Falls, SD
The final approach into Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls, 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
$1.82 one way
$3.65 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.01 | $4.02 |
| premium | $4.80 | $2.27 | $4.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.67 | $5.33 |
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: 4.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.6 | 0 | $1.26 | $0.58 |
| Efficient EV | 3 | 0 | $1.05 | $0.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.8 | 0 | $1.68 | $0.77 |
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
Sioux Falls, SD
Afternoon in Sioux Falls on Sunday
Local time
4:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°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
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
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 Brandon, SD to Sioux Falls, SD covers 12 miles and takes about 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 229, North Splitrock Boulevard. 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 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 $1.82 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 12 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: at 1.3 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.2 miles (I 229 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Brandon, SD to Sioux Falls, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
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