Origin
Fort Thompson, SD
Afternoon in Fort Thompson on Sunday
Local time
4:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Thompson, SD to Sioux Falls, SD
Drive Time
2h 59m
Distance
168.3 mi
271 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 48m
★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Thompson, SD
Esteban Carriazo
Sioux Falls, SD
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Traveling from Fort Thompson to Sioux Falls covers 168.3 miles across the South Dakota Great Plains. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 2 hours and 59 minutes, making it a straightforward one-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $26 for fuel should cover your needs for the journey. Because the total drive time is under three hours, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. The route is highly efficient, utilizing a mix of I-90, SD Highway 50, and SD Highway 34 to navigate the region. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a weekend change of scenery, this drive offers a practical connection between these two points.
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
84.1 miles from Fort Thompson, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 97% of your travel spent on major roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 133.9 miles along I-90. Expect a consistent experience behind the wheel, as the infrastructure is designed for steady, efficient progress across the plains. While the majority of the journey relies on the interstate, you will also utilize SD Highway 50 and SD Highway 34 to reach your destination. The transition between these roads creates a predictable flow, allowing you to maintain a reliable pace for the duration of the 168.3-mile trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 133.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,733 ft
1,277 ft
Total Climb
752 ft
Total Descent
882 ft
Highest Point
1,733 ft
~28 mi in
Elevation Range
456 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and SD Highway 50. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 25.6 miles in near North Sanborn Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 168.3 miles you will encounter 14 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 25.6 miles (North Sanborn Street): Navigation decision point; at 163.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.9 miles (I 229): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
25.6 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
North Sanborn Street
Turn right onto North Sanborn Street
Navigation decision point
7
163.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward I 229 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 400
Toward I 229 South
5
163.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
|
I 229
Merge onto I 229
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
167.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m 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
167.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 133.9 mi | 2h 6m |
| SD Highway 50 | 18.8 mi | 28m |
| SD Highway 34 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| I 229 | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| East King Street | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| SD Highway 249 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| I 229 Business | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 133.9 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Thompson, SD and Sioux Falls, SD.
1
Start on BIA 4
65 ft
·
1 sec
·
BIA Route 4
2
Turn right onto SD 249
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
SD Highway 249
3
Turn straight onto SD 34
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
SD Highway 34
4
Turn right onto SD 50
19 mi
·
28 min
·
SD Highway 50
5
Continue on SD 50
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
6
Turn left onto East Mott Avenue
331 ft
·
16 sec
·
East Mott Avenue
7
Turn right onto North Sanborn Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Sanborn Street
8
Turn left onto I 90 Business; SD 50
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
East King Street
9
Take the ramp onto I 90 Business; SD 50
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 90 Business; SD 50
Toward I 90 East
10
Merge onto I 90; SD 50
134 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
I 90; SD 50
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 400
Toward I 229 South
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 229
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 229
Use the none lane.
13
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.
14
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.
15
Turn right onto South Lowell Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
South Lowell Avenue
16
Turn left onto East 8th Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
East 8th Street
17
Turn right onto North Chicago Avenue
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Chicago Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
North Chicago Avenue
Trip Plan
Since the drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one stop during the trip to break up the 133.9-mile stretch on I-90 and keep your focus sharp. With a fuel budget of $26, you may find it helpful to fill your tank before leaving Fort Thompson to avoid any range anxiety on the interstate. Because this is a single-day trip, you can easily adjust your schedule to avoid peak traffic times near Sioux Falls. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning between I-90 and the state highways to ensure a smooth arrival.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 84.1 miles from Fort Thompson, SD, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.9 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.1 miles or 1h 37m 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 28m
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 Fort Thompson, 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 Thompson, SD
This is one driving day of about 168.3 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Thompson, 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 133.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.1 mi from Fort Thompson, SD · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.1 miles from Fort Thompson, 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 133.9 miles.
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.
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
$25.56 one way
$51.13 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $28.18 | $56.36 |
| premium | $4.80 | $31.77 | $63.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.39 | $74.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.67 | $8.08 |
| Efficient EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.73 | $6.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.56 | $10.77 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
4:54 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
29 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
2h 59m 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 Sioux Falls, SD covers 168.3 miles and takes about 2h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, SD Highway 50, 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 84.1 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 $25.56 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 168.3 miles you will encounter 14 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 25.6 miles (North Sanborn Street): Navigation decision point; at 163.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.9 miles (I 229): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fort Thompson, SD to Sioux Falls, SD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 1,277 ft to 1,733 ft elevation with about 752 ft of total climbing.
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