Trip from Crooks, SD to Brandon, SD

Drive Time

24m

Distance

16.8 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

Save up to 6 min
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.

Downtown Crooks, SD, SD

Crooks, SD

Luis Quintero

Downtown Brandon, SD, SD

Brandon, SD

Julio Lopez

Trip Overview

If you are looking for a quick transition between Crooks and Brandon, this 16.8-mile drive is a straightforward, efficient option. You can comfortably complete the journey in about 24 minutes, making it an easy day trip that requires no overnight stays. The route relies primarily on I-90, I-29, and 258th Street to navigate across the Great Plains. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, it is an incredibly budget-friendly commute. Whether you are running errands or visiting friends, this drive provides a practical link between two South Dakota communities.

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

8.4 miles from Crooks, SD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .

Drive Character

This 24-minute trip is a highway-focused drive, with 70% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a quick, efficient pace as you transition between interstate systems and local roads. The longest uninterrupted segment covers 9.8 miles on I-90, allowing you to settle into a consistent driving rhythm. Because the route is relatively short, you will find it lacks the technical challenges of winding rural roads, offering instead a predictable and steady experience. Expect a functional trip that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 9.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 29. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North West Avenue.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 16.8 miles you will encounter 10 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 (North West Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North West Avenue

Turn left onto North West Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
3.3 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the ramp toward Renner, Crooks

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Renner, Crooks
5
5.8 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 90

Merge onto I 90

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

Use the none lane.
5
15.7 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward SD 11: Corson, Brandon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward SD 11: Corson, Brandon
7
15.9 mi into trip | ~21m in

Keep slight right at fork toward SD 11: Corson, Brandon

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward SD 11: Corson, Brandon

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Crooks, SD to Brandon, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Renner along the way.

Renner

3.3 mi in | ~7m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 9.8 mi 10m
I 29 2 mi 2m
258th Street 1.9 mi 4m
North West Avenue 0.9 mi 2m
North Splitrock Boulevard 0.9 mi 1m
470th Avenue 0.4 mi 1m
East Sylvan Circle <0.1 mi <1m
Superior Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 9.8 mi, about 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Crooks, SD and Brandon, SD.

1

Start on Superior Avenue

99 ft · 9 sec · Superior Avenue
2

Turn left onto North West Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · North West Avenue
3

Continue on CR 137

0.4 mi · 1 min · 470th Avenue
4

Turn left onto CR 130

1.9 mi · 4 min · 258th Street
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward Renner, Crooks
6

Merge onto I 29

2.0 mi · 2 min · I 29
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward Interstate 90 East: Albert Lea
8

Merge onto I 90

9.8 mi · 10 min · I 90
Use the none lane.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward SD 11: Corson, Brandon
10

Keep slight right at fork

228 ft · 5 sec
Toward SD 11: Corson, Brandon
11

Turn slight right onto SD 11

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Splitrock Boulevard
12

Turn left onto East Sylvan Circle

107 ft · 11 sec · East Sylvan Circle
13

Turn left onto North Pipestone Street

44 ft · 1 sec · North Pipestone Street
14

Arrive at destination

North Pipestone Street

Trip Plan

Since the entire trip spans less than 17 miles, you have significant flexibility in your departure time without worrying about fatigue. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the short duration makes a non-stop transit the most logical approach. Keep in mind that the majority of the drive is highway-based, so stay alert when merging onto I-90 or I-29 to maintain a smooth flow of traffic. Given the low $3 fuel cost, you can easily budget for this trip on short notice. Prioritize checking local traffic reports before you leave to ensure the interstate segments remain clear for your quick 24-minute transit.

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 8.4 miles from Crooks, SD, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.8 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 16.8 miles or 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 8.4 miles or 13m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 19m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Crooks, 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 Crooks, SD

This is one driving day of about 16.8 miles and 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Crooks, 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 9.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 8.4 mi from Crooks, SD · 13m into the drive

Downtown Sioux Falls, SD, SD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sioux Falls, SD

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.

Popular next leg

Sioux Falls, SD to Brandon, SD

11.5 mi · 15m

Pacing Suggestions

Sioux Falls, SD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sioux Falls, SD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 8.4 miles from Crooks, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Brandon, SD

The final approach into Brandon, 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 Brandon, 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

$2.55 one way

$5.10 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 6 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $2.81 $5.63
premium $4.80 $3.17 $6.34
diesel $5.64 $3.73 $7.46

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: 5.9 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 $1.76 $0.81
Efficient EV 4.2 0 $1.47 $0.67
EV Truck/SUV 6.7 0 $2.35 $1.08

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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Crooks, SD

Evening in Crooks on Sunday

Local time

6:04 PM

CDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brandon, SD

Evening in Brandon on Sunday

Local time

6:04 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 Crooks, SD to Brandon, SD covers 16.8 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, I 29, 258th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.4 miles from Crooks, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.55 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 16.8 miles you will encounter 10 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 (North West Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Crooks, SD to Brandon, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Renner along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Brandon, SD to Crooks, SD

Plan the drive back the other way.

16.6 mi 24m

Explore more options from Crooks, SD or browse trips ending in Brandon, SD.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SD road trips.

Explore maps for Crooks, SD or Brandon, SD on MapSof.net.