Origin
Fort Pierre, SD
Late night in Fort Pierre on Saturday
Local time
12:24 AM
MDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Pierre, SD to Madison, SD
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 52m
Distance
220.4 mi
355 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 40m
★
6 AM
3h 53m
8 AM
4h 18m
10 AM
4h 2m
12 PM
3h 59m
3 PM
4h 3m
5 PM
4h 17m
8 PM
3h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Pierre, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Madison, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fort Pierre, SD to Madison, SD covers 220.4 miles and takes about 3h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, South US Highway 83, SD Highway 34 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 136.5 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.46 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
110.2 miles from Fort Pierre, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 52m. Total distance: 220.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 52m highway drive covering 220.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and South US Highway 83. The longest continuous stretch is about 136.5 miles on I 90.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 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 136.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and South US Highway 83. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 31.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 52m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 168.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.6 miles (SD 25 / SD Highway 25): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
31.5 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
168.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward SD 25: Emery, Farmer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SD 25: Emery, Farmer
4
168.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
SD 25 / SD Highway 25
Turn left onto SD 25 / SD Highway 25
Navigation decision point
4
192.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
|
SD 25; SD 34 / SD Highway 34
Turn right onto SD 25; SD 34 / SD Highway 34
Navigation decision point
4
220.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
|
North Egan Avenue
Turn right onto North Egan Avenue
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fort Pierre, SD to Madison, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Farmer along the way.
Farmer
168.3 mi in
|
~2h 44m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 136.5 mi | 2h 7m |
| South US Highway 83 | 30.9 mi | 35m |
| SD Highway 34 | 26.6 mi | 37m |
| SD Highway 25 | 23.8 mi | 27m |
| Northwest 2nd Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| South 1st Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Egan Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 136.5 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Pierre, SD and Madison, SD.
1
Start on US 83; SD 1806
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
South 1st Street
2
Continue on US 83; SD 1806
31 mi
·
35 min
·
South US Highway 83
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
4
Merge onto I 90
137 mi
·
2 hr 7 min
·
I 90
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward SD 25: Emery, Farmer
6
Turn left onto SD 25
24 mi
·
27 min
·
SD Highway 25
7
Turn right onto SD 25; SD 34
27 mi
·
37 min
·
SD Highway 34
8
Continue on US 81; SD 34
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 2nd Street
9
Turn right onto North Egan Avenue
384 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Egan Avenue
10
Arrive at destination
North Egan Avenue
Trip Plan
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 110.2 miles from Fort Pierre, SD, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.5 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 48 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.2 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Pierre, 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 Fort Pierre, SD
This is one driving day of about 220.4 miles and 3h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Fort Pierre, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 136.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 110.2 mi from Fort Pierre, SD · 1h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.2 miles from Fort Pierre, 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 136.5 miles.
Arriving in Madison, SD
The final approach into Madison, 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 Madison, SD.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.46 one way
$68.91 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $37.83 | $75.66 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.41 | $84.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.66 | $97.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.14 | $10.58 |
| Efficient EV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.29 | $8.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.2 | 1 | $30.86 | $14.11 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Madison, SD
Late night in Madison on Saturday
Local time
1:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 52m 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 Fort Pierre, SD to Madison, SD covers 220.4 miles and takes about 3h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, South US Highway 83, SD Highway 34. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 110.2 miles from Fort Pierre, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.46 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 52m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 168.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.6 miles (SD 25 / SD Highway 25): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Fort Pierre, SD to Madison, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Farmer along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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