Origin
Pierre, SD
Night in Pierre on Sunday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pierre, SD to Jefferson, SD
Drive Time
4h 46m
Distance
293.2 mi
472 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 33m
★
6 AM
4h 47m
8 AM
5h 14m
10 AM
4h 56m
12 PM
4h 54m
3 PM
4h 58m
5 PM
5h 13m
8 PM
4h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pierre, SD
Leeloo The First
Jefferson, SD
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Traveling from Pierre to Jefferson covers 293.2 miles across the South Dakota Great Plains. You can expect to spend approximately 4 hours and 46 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable one-day trip for most drivers. Because the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like I-90 and I-29, the journey is straightforward and efficient. Budget about $45 for fuel to complete the trek comfortably. While you could easily finish this in a single day, having the flexibility to stop once along the way keeps the experience relaxed. It is an honest, utilitarian drive that prioritizes speed and connectivity across the state.
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
146.6 miles from Pierre, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 98% of this journey takes place on high-speed roads. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-90, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 182.9 miles that allows for steady cruising. After transitioning onto I-29, the character of the drive remains consistent, favoring efficiency over technical curves or local backroads. Because South US Highway 83 also plays a role in the navigation, you will get a brief transition between different types of road infrastructure. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace that stays true to the open landscape of the region.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 182.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 29. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near SD 1889 / South Pierre Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 46m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SD 1889 / South Pierre Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 14; US 83; SD 34 / West Sioux Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 34.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SD 1889 / South Pierre Street
Turn left onto SD 1889 / South Pierre Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 14; US 83; SD 34 / West Sioux Avenue
Turn right onto US 14; US 83; SD 34 / West Sioux Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
34.2 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
217.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
|
I 29
Merge onto I 29
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
293.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m in
|
South 3rd Street
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 182.9 mi | 2h 51m |
| I 29 | 74.1 mi | 1h 11m |
| South US Highway 83 | 30.9 mi | 35m |
| North 1st Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Sioux Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Dakota Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Deadwood Street | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| North Highway 83 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 182.9 mi, about 2h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pierre, SD and Jefferson, SD.
1
Start on SD 1889
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South Euclid Avenue
2
Turn left onto SD 1889
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
South Pierre Street
3
Turn right onto US 14; US 83; SD 34
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Sioux Avenue
4
Continue on US 14; US 83; SD 34
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Highway 83
5
Continue on US 83
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
North Deadwood Street
6
Continue on US 83; SD 1806
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1st Street
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on US 83; SD 1806
31 mi
·
35 min
·
South US Highway 83
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
9
Merge onto I 90
183 mi
·
2 hr 51 min
·
I 90
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
11
Merge onto I 29
74 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 29
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Jefferson
13
Turn left onto 330th Street
400 ft
·
8 sec
·
330th Street
14
Continue on West Dakota Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Dakota Street
15
Turn right onto CR 1B
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Main Street
16
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
South 3rd Street
17
Arrive at destination
South 3rd Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, aim to depart early in the morning so you can reach Jefferson by mid-afternoon. Since the route is dominated by interstate travel, take advantage of your one planned stop to stretch your legs and refuel away from the flow of high-speed traffic. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 182.9-mile stretch on I-90 to ensure you don't run low between major service points. Because this is a relatively quick 4-hour and 46-minute trip, you have the advantage of being able to adjust your schedule based on traffic or weather. Pack your own snacks and drinks to minimize unnecessary stops and maintain your momentum across the 293.2-mile distance.
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 146.6 miles from Pierre, SD, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.9 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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.6 miles or 2h 25m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pierre, 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 Pierre, SD
This is one driving day of about 293.2 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pierre, 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 182.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 146.6 mi from Pierre, SD · 2h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
147 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 146.6 miles from Pierre, 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 182.9 miles.
Arriving in Jefferson, SD
The final approach into Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, 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
$44.53 one way
$89.07 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $49.09 | $98.19 |
| premium | $4.80 | $55.35 | $110.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $65.14 | $130.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88 | 1 | $30.79 | $14.07 |
| Efficient EV | 73.3 | 0 | $25.65 | $11.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 117.3 | 1 | $41.05 | $18.76 |
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Jefferson, SD
Night in Jefferson on Sunday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 46m 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 Pierre, SD to Jefferson, SD covers 293.2 miles and takes about 4h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 29, South US Highway 83. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 146.6 miles from Pierre, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.53 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.
This is a straightforward 4h 46m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SD 1889 / South Pierre Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 14; US 83; SD 34 / West Sioux Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 34.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Pierre, SD to Jefferson, SD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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