Origin
Gregory, SD
Evening in Gregory on Sunday
Local time
6:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
4h 17m
Distance
231.8 mi
373 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gregory, SD
Luis Quintero
Box Elder, SD
James Owen
Spanning 231.8 miles across South Dakota, this trip takes you from Gregory to Box Elder in approximately 4 hours and 17 minutes. You will primarily navigate US Highway 18 and 307th Avenue before merging onto I-90 for the bulk of your travel. Because the total drive time is manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting about $35 for fuel should cover your transit across the Great Plains. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that connects two distinct points within the same region, making it a reliable choice for travelers who prefer predictable road conditions.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
115.9 miles from Gregory, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
Expect a drive that transitions from local roads to a high-speed interstate experience. With 84% of your journey spent on highways, you will quickly settle into a rhythm once you reach the main thoroughfares. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel will be spent on a 158.7-mile stretch along I-90, which serves as the backbone of this trip. While the initial segments involve navigating US Highway 18 and 307th Avenue, the transition to the interstate offers a consistent, efficient pace. This route maintains a steady character, favoring long, uninterrupted driving stretches over complex or technical maneuvers.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and 307th Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near SD 47 / Park Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 17m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (SD 47 / Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 35 miles (US 183; SD 44; SD 53 / 307th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.1 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto SD 47 / Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 183; SD 44; SD 53 / 307th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Box Elder, Elisworth AirForce Base
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto Front Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 158.7 mi | 2h 28m |
| 307th Avenue | 35.8 mi | 51m |
| US Highway 18 | 34.4 mi | 51m |
| Highway 1416 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Liberty Boulevard | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Park Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East 6th Street | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| Oak Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gregory, SD and Box Elder, SD.
Start on East 6th Street
At end of road, turn left onto SD 47
Turn right onto US 18
Turn right onto US 183; SD 44; SD 53
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto Liberty Boulevard
Turn right onto Highway 1416
Turn left onto Oak Street
Turn right onto Front Street
Arrive at destination
Since this 4-hour and 17-minute trek is designed for a single day, aim to depart early to maximize your time once you arrive in Box Elder. You should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $35 gas budget in mind as you pace the 231.8-mile distance. Because the longest segment consists of 158.7 miles on I-90, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained speeds before you merge onto the interstate. Flexibility is a major advantage here; since the duration is relatively short, you have plenty of room to adjust your departure time based on local traffic or weather conditions across the Great Plains.
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.
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 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.9 miles or 2h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Box Elder, SD than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Gregory, 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 Gregory, SD
This is one driving day of about 231.8 miles and 4h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.9 mi from Gregory, SD · 2h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 115.9 miles from Gregory, 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 158.7 miles.
The final approach into Box Elder, 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 Box Elder, 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.
Regular Gas
$35.21 one way
$70.42 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $38.81 | $77.63 |
| premium | $4.80 | $43.76 | $87.52 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $51.50 | $103.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.5 | 0 | $24.34 | $11.13 |
| Efficient EV | 58 | 0 | $20.28 | $9.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.7 | 1 | $32.45 | $14.84 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Gregory on Sunday
Local time
6:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Box Elder on Sunday
Local time
5:04 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Gregory, SD or browse trips ending in Box Elder, SD.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SD road trips.
Explore maps for Gregory, SD or Box Elder, SD on MapSof.net.