Origin
Fort Thompson, SD
Afternoon in Fort Thompson on Thursday
Local time
3:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Thompson, SD to Pierre, SD
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
60.5 mi
97 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Thompson, SD
Esteban Carriazo
Pierre, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fort Thompson, SD to Pierre, SD covers 60.5 miles and takes about 1h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Route 4, Highway 47, Highway 34 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.46 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 60.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 5m drive with frequent turns across 60.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Route 4 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. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Fort Thompson, SD to Pierre, SD is easy. At 1h 5m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fort Thompson, SD to Pierre, SD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Route 4 | — | — |
| Highway 47 | — | — |
| Highway 34 | — | — |
| South Washington Avenue | — | — |
| East Sioux Avenue | — | — |
| South Pierre Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Route 4
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Thompson, SD and Pierre, SD.
1
Start on BIA Route 4
66 ft
·
2 sec
·
BIA Route 4
2
Continue on SD Highway 47
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
SD Highway 47
3
Continue on SD Highway 34
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
SD Highway 34
4
Continue on SD Highway 47
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
SD Highway 47
5
Turn left onto SD Highway 34
47 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
SD Highway 34
6
Continue on South Washington Avenue
430 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Washington Avenue
7
Continue on East Sioux Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Sioux Avenue
8
Turn right onto South Pierre Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
South Pierre Street
9
Arrive at your destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.2 mi from Fort Thompson, SD · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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
First break window
Fuel and coffeeA short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.2 miles from Fort Thompson, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Pierre, SD
The final approach into Pierre, SD usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.46 one way
$18.92 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.39 | $20.77 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.64 | $23.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.36 | $26.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.35 | $2.90 |
| Efficient EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.29 | $2.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.47 | $3.87 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Pierre, SD
Afternoon in Pierre on Thursday
Local time
3:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
30 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 5m 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 Thompson, SD to Pierre, SD covers 60.5 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Route 4, Highway 47, Highway 34. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.2 miles from Fort Thompson, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.46 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 Fort Thompson, SD to Pierre, SD is easy. At 1h 5m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fort Thompson, SD to Pierre, SD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fort Thompson, SD to Pierre, SD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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