Trip from Hot Springs, SD to Mitchell, SD

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 26m

Distance

329.2 mi

530 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 14m ★

6 AM

5h 27m

8 AM

5h 54m

10 AM

5h 36m

12 PM

5h 34m

3 PM

5h 38m

5 PM

5h 52m

8 PM

5h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Mitchell, SD

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Hot Springs, SD to Mitchell, SD covers 329.2 miles and takes about 5h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 90, South Highway 79, SD Highway 79 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 268 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.47 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

164.6 miles from Hot Springs, SD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 329.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 26m highway drive covering 329.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and South Highway 79. The longest continuous stretch is about 268 miles on I 90.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 23 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 268 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and South Highway 79. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near University Avenue.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 329.2 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 385 / South Chicago Street): Navigation decision point; at 52.7 miles (SD 79): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | University Avenue

Turn right onto University Avenue

Navigation decision point

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 385 / South Chicago Street

Turn left onto US 385 / South Chicago Street

Navigation decision point

52.7 mi into trip | ~59m in | SD 79

Keep slight right at fork onto SD 79

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

327 mi into trip | ~5h 21m in | I 90 Business; SD 37 / South Ohlman Street

Turn left onto I 90 Business; SD 37 / South Ohlman Street

Navigation decision point

328.7 mi into trip | ~5h 25m in | South Sanborn Boulevard

Turn left onto South Sanborn Boulevard

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 90	268 mi	4h 12m
South Highway 79	21.7 mi	24m
SD Highway 79	15.9 mi	17m
Highway 79	9.6 mi	10m
Elk Vale Road	5.2 mi	7m
Fall River Road	4 mi	4m
West Havens Avenue	0.8 mi	2m
South Ohlman Street	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 90 — 268 mi, about 4h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs, SD and Mitchell, SD.

Start on this road

91 ft · 8 sec · this road

Turn right onto University Avenue

211 ft · 14 sec · University Avenue

Turn left onto US 385

0.3 mi · 30 sec · South Chicago Street

Continue on US 385

0.7 mi · 1 min · Jensen Highway

Continue on US 18; US 385

4.0 mi · 4 min · Fall River Road

Turn left onto SD 79

6.2 mi · 6 min · SD Highway 79

Continue on SD 79

9.6 mi · 10 min · Highway 79

Continue on SD 79

9.7 mi · 10 min · SD Highway 79

Continue on SD 79

8.1 mi · 8 min · South Highway 79

Continue on SD 40; SD 79

0.4 mi · 33 sec · South Heartland Expressway

Continue on SD 79

14 mi · 15 min · South Highway 79

Take the exit onto SD 79

0.2 mi · 29 sec · SD 79

Keep slight right at fork onto SD 79

0.1 mi · 20 sec · SD 79

Merge onto US 16 Truck; SD 79

5.2 mi · 7 min · Elk Vale Road

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 90; US 14

268 mi · 4 hr 12 min · I 90; US 14

Take the exit onto I 90 Business

0.4 mi · 53 sec · I 90 Business

Turn left onto I 90 Business; SD 37

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Ohlman Street

Take the exit

302 ft · 8 sec

Turn straight onto I 90 Business

0.8 mi · 2 min · West Havens Avenue

Turn left onto South Sanborn Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Sanborn Boulevard

Turn left onto West 1st Avenue

34 ft · 1 sec · West 1st Avenue

Arrive at destination

West 1st Avenue

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 164.6 miles from Hot Springs, SD, or about 2h 48m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 268 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 72 miles or 1h 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 164.6 miles or 2h 48m 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 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mitchell, SD than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Hot Springs, 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 Hot Springs, SD

This is one driving day of about 329.2 miles and 5h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Hot Springs, 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 268 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 164.6 mi from Hot Springs, SD · 2h 48m into the drive

city in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Box Elder, SD

165 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

Box Elder, SD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fort Pierre, SD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 164.6 miles from Hot Springs, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 268 miles.

Arriving in Mitchell, SD

The final approach into Mitchell, 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 Mitchell, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Wind Cave National Park

National Park

Wind Cave National Park protects two very different worlds - one deep within the earth, the other a sunlit world of many resources. Bison, elk, and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands a...

8 mi from route ~21 min detour Free near mile 22.7

Danger: Temporary Emergency Fire Restrictions

View on nps.gov

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

National Memorial

Majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, tell the story of the birth, growth, devel...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free near mile 45.4

View on nps.gov

Badlands National Park

National Park

The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The...

24 mi from route ~60 min detour $30 near mile 113.5

View on nps.gov

Jewel Cave National Monument

National Monument

Immerse yourself in one of the longest caves in the world. With over 220 miles of mapped and surveyed passages, this underground wilderness appeals to human curiosity. Its splendor is revealed through...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$51.47 one way

$102.93 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 115 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$56.51	$113.02
premium	$4.89	$63.35	$126.70
diesel	$5.61	$72.68	$145.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$51

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 115.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	98.8	1	$34.57	$15.80
Efficient EV	82.3	0	$28.80	$13.17
EV Truck/SUV	131.7	1	$46.09	$21.07

Gas CO2

115 kg

EV CO2

39 kg (66% 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Hot Springs, SD

Afternoon in Hot Springs on Thursday

Local time

2:23 PM

MDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mitchell, SD

Afternoon in Mitchell on Thursday

Local time

3:23 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°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

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

3 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

5h 26m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Hot Springs, SD to Mitchell, SD covers 329.2 miles and takes about 5h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 90, South Highway 79, SD Highway 79. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 164.6 miles from Hot Springs, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.47 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route from Hot Springs, SD to Mitchell, SD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Wind Cave National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Mitchell, SD

Hill City, SD 302 mi · 5h Britton, SD 186.7 mi · 3h 59m Milbank, SD 183.9 mi · 3h 20m Fort Pierre, SD 150.8 mi · 2h 31m

More trips to Mitchell, SD

Hill City, SD 302.3 mi Sturgis, SD 301.7 mi Rapid City, SD 276.9 mi Worthing, SD 87.9 mi Harrisburg, SD 84.1 mi Tea, SD 80.1 mi

Overnight trips from Hot Springs, SD Scenic drives in SD

Explore more options from Hot Springs, SD or browse trips ending in Mitchell, SD.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SD road trips.

Explore maps for Hot Springs, SD or Mitchell, SD on MapSof.net.