Origin
Gregory, SD
Evening in Gregory on Sunday
Local time
6:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
5h 13m
Distance
285.9 mi
460 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
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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
Spearfish, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 285.9 miles across South Dakota, this trip connects Gregory to Spearfish in approximately 5 hours and 13 minutes. Because the route remains within the Great Plains, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day, though you should budget about $43 for fuel. The path relies heavily on US Highway 18 and I-90 to move you efficiently across the state. Expect a straightforward drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours. Whether you are heading west for a vacation or a quick regional transit, this trip is manageable for most drivers without the need for an overnight stop.
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
142.9 miles from Gregory, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 87% of your travel time will be spent on major routes. You will start on local roads like 307th Avenue before transitioning to the efficiency of US Highway 18 and eventually the interstate. The bulk of your journey involves a 213.8-mile stretch on I-90, which provides a consistent, high-speed pace for the majority of the trip. While the road is largely functional, the shift from regional highways to the interstate requires you to stay alert for changing traffic flow. Prepare for a steady, predictable ride that favors steady cruising over 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 5h 13m drive. You will face about 7 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 0.6 miles (US 18 / US Highway 18): Navigation decision point; at 35 miles (US 183; SD 44; SD 53 / 307th Avenue): 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 18 / US Highway 18
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 Jackson Boulevard, Black Hills State University
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 213.8 mi | 3h 25m |
| 307th Avenue | 35.8 mi | 51m |
| US Highway 18 | 34.4 mi | 51m |
| East Jackson Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Park Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East 6th Street | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gregory, SD and Spearfish, 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
Turn left onto East Jackson Boulevard
Turn left onto I 90 Business
Arrive at destination
To keep your drive smooth, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the long 213.8-mile interstate segment. With only one recommended stop planned, try to time your break to coincide with your fuel fill-up to maximize your time on the road. Since the route is highly dependent on I-90, keep a close watch on interstate traffic reports, as any delays here will significantly impact your 5-hour and 13-minute travel estimate. Take advantage of the flexibility this single-day itinerary offers, but ensure your vehicle is prepped for a sustained high-speed run across the plains. A practical tip: double-check your fuel levels before merging onto I-90, as this long stretch offers fewer exit opportunities than your initial local roads.
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 142.9 miles or 2h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spearfish, 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 285.9 miles and 5h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 142.9 mi from Gregory, SD · 2h 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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 142.9 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 213.8 miles.
The final approach into Spearfish, 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 Spearfish, 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
$43.43 one way
$86.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $47.87 | $95.74 |
| premium | $4.80 | $53.97 | $107.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $63.52 | $127.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.8 | 1 | $30.02 | $13.72 |
| Efficient EV | 71.5 | 0 | $25.02 | $11.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.4 | 1 | $40.03 | $18.30 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Spearfish 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.
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