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Trip from Pierre, SD to Springfield, SD

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 8m

Distance

215.9 mi

347 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 55m ★
6 AM
4h 8m
8 AM
4h 34m
10 AM
4h 17m
12 PM
4h 15m
3 PM
4h 19m
5 PM
4h 33m
8 PM
4h 0m

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

Downtown Pierre, SD, SD

Pierre, SD

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Springfield, SD, SD

Springfield, SD

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Pierre, SD to Springfield, SD covers 215.9 miles and takes about 4h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 90, SD Highway 37, South US Highway 83 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 118.6 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.75 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

107.9 miles from Pierre, SD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 215.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 8m highway drive covering 215.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and SD Highway 37. The longest continuous stretch is about 118.6 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 19 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 118.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and SD Highway 37. 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.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 8m drive. You will face about 8 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 8 key points

These 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

4
153.2 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in

Take the exit toward Mitchell

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward Mitchell
5
153.5 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Pierre, SD to Springfield, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Mitchell along the way.

Mitchell

153.2 mi in | ~2h 31m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 118.6 mi 1h 51m
SD Highway 37 55.9 mi 1h 25m
South US Highway 83 30.9 mi 35m
SD Highway 50 4.1 mi 6m
South Highway 37 1 mi 1m
North 1st Street 1 mi 1m
West Sioux Avenue 0.9 mi 1m
Walnut Street 0.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 118.6 mi, about 1h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pierre, SD and Springfield, 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
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

119 mi · 1 hr 51 min · I 90
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward Mitchell
11

Keep slight right at fork

190 ft · 4 sec
12

Turn slight right onto SD 37

0.3 mi · 25 sec · South Burr Street
13

Continue on SD 37

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Highway 37
14

Continue on SD 37

47 mi · 1 hr 10 min · SD Highway 37
15

Turn left onto SD 37; SD 50

4.1 mi · 6 min · SD Highway 50
16

Turn right onto SD 37

8.8 mi · 15 min · SD Highway 37
17

Turn left onto SD 37P

0.9 mi · 2 min · Walnut Street
18

Turn slight right onto SD 37P

0.2 mi · 36 sec · SD 37P
19

Arrive at destination

SD 37P

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 107.9 miles from Pierre, SD, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 47 miles or 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 107.9 miles or 1h 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 3h 6m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, 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 215.9 miles and 4h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 118.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 107.9 mi from Pierre, SD · 1h 48m into the drive

Downtown Fort Thompson, SD, SD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fort Thompson, SD

108 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

Ideal, SD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fort Thompson, SD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 107.9 miles from Pierre, 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 118.6 miles.

Arriving in Springfield, SD

The final approach into Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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

$33.75 one way

$67.51 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $37.06 $74.12
premium $4.89 $41.55 $83.10
diesel $5.61 $47.67 $95.34

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 64.8 0 $22.67 $10.36
Efficient EV 54 0 $18.89 $8.64
EV Truck/SUV 86.4 1 $30.23 $13.82

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Pierre, SD

Afternoon in Pierre on Thursday

Local time

1:13 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Springfield, SD

Afternoon in Springfield on Thursday

Local time

1:13 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°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

1 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 8m 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 Springfield, SD covers 215.9 miles and takes about 4h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, SD Highway 37, 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 107.9 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 $33.75 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 8m drive. You will face about 8 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.
On the drive from Pierre, SD to Springfield, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Mitchell along the way.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Springfield, SD to Pierre, SD

Plan the drive back the other way.

217.1 mi 3h 26m

Explore more options from Pierre, SD or browse trips ending in Springfield, SD.

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