Origin
Fort Thompson, SD
Night in Fort Thompson on Wednesday
Local time
10:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Thompson, SD to Brandon, SD
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
166.5 mi
268 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 22m
★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 51m
8 PM
2h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Thompson, SD
Esteban Carriazo
Brandon, SD
Patrick
Trip Overview
The drive from Fort Thompson, SD to Brandon, SD covers 166.5 miles and takes about 2h 32m 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 249, Highway 34 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.03 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
83.2 miles from Fort Thompson, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 32m drive with frequent turns across 166.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Fort Thompson, SD to Brandon, SD is easy. At 2h 32m 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 Brandon, SD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Route 4 | — | — |
| Highway 249 | — | — |
| Highway 34 | — | — |
| Highway 50 | — | — |
| North Main Street | — | — |
| East Mott Avenue | — | — |
| North Sanborn Street | — | — |
| East King 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 Brandon, SD.
1
Start on BIA Route 4
66 ft
·
2 sec
·
BIA Route 4
2
Turn right onto SD Highway 249
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
SD Highway 249
3
Turn straight onto SD Highway 34
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
SD Highway 34
4
Turn right onto SD Highway 50
19 mi
·
28 min
·
SD Highway 50
5
Continue on North Main Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
6
Turn left onto East Mott Avenue
331 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Mott Avenue
7
Turn right onto North Sanborn Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Sanborn Street
8
Turn left onto East King Street
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
East King Street
9
Take the ramp left toward I 90 East
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 90 East
10
Merge slight left
140 mi
·
2 hr 13 min
11
Take the exit slight right toward SD 11: Corson, Brandon
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
SD 11: Corson, Brandon
12
Keep slight right to continue on SD 11: Corson, Brandon
226 ft
·
6 sec
·
SD 11: Corson, Brandon
13
Turn slight right onto North Splitrock Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Splitrock Boulevard
14
Turn left onto East Sylvan Circle
108 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Sylvan Circle
15
Turn left onto North Pipestone Street
43 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Pipestone Street
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 83.2 miles from Fort Thompson, SD, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
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 37 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.2 miles or 1h 16m 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 4m
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 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 166.5 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.2 mi from Fort Thompson, SD · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.2 miles from Fort Thompson, 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
$26.03 one way
$52.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.58 | $57.16 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.04 | $64.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.76 | $73.52 |
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: 58.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.9 | 0 | $17.48 | $7.99 |
| Efficient EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.57 | $6.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.6 | 0 | $23.31 | $10.66 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Brandon, SD
Night in Brandon on Wednesday
Local time
10:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
2h 32m 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 Brandon, SD covers 166.5 miles and takes about 2h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Route 4, Highway 249, Highway 34. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.2 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 $26.03 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.
The drive from Fort Thompson, SD to Brandon, SD is easy. At 2h 32m 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 Brandon, SD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fort Thompson, SD to Brandon, SD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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