Origin
Rapid City, SD
Evening in Rapid City on Sunday
Local time
5:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rapid City, SD to Jefferson, SD
Drive Time
6h 38m
Distance
416.2 mi
670 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$63
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 26m
★
6 AM
6h 38m
8 AM
7h 3m
10 AM
6h 47m
12 PM
6h 44m
3 PM
6h 48m
5 PM
7h 1m
8 PM
6h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rapid City, SD
Mike Lensing
Jefferson, SD
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Crossing the state from Rapid City to Jefferson covers 416.2 miles of South Dakota landscape, typically taking about 6 hours and 38 minutes of drive time. Because this route is almost entirely highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day, though you should budget approximately $63 for fuel costs. You will be traversing the Great Plains from end to end, keeping you firmly within the state borders for the duration of the trip. Navigating this distance requires stamina, so plan for at least one substantial stop to break up the monotony. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this direct path offers a straightforward experience across the heart of the region.
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
208.1 miles from Rapid City, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, interstate-heavy experience, as 99% of this 416.2-mile trek is comprised of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-90 and I-29, including a significant 338.5-mile stretch on I-90 alone that defines the character of the trip. The route relies on a combination of I-90, I-29, and I-190, providing a fast, predictable corridor that minimizes technical maneuvering. Because the infrastructure is so focused on major interstates, you can maintain a consistent pace across the Great Plains. Behind the wheel, this translates to a steady, rhythmic drive where the road conditions remain largely uniform from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 338.5 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 0.4 miles in near I 190; US 16.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 38m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 9 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (I 190; US 16): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 190): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 340.9 miles (I 29): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 190; US 16
Turn right onto I 190; US 16
Navigation decision point
6
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 190
Keep slight right at fork onto I 190 toward I 90 East: Sioux Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1B
Toward I 90 East: Sioux Falls
5
340.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 24m in
|
I 29
Merge onto I 29
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
415 mi into trip
|
~6h 36m in
Take the exit toward Jefferson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Jefferson
5
416.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 38m in
|
South 3rd Street
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 338.5 mi | 5h 19m |
| I 29 | 74.1 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 190 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| West Dakota Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Mount Rushmore Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Omaha Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 330th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 338.5 mi, about 5h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rapid City, SD and Jefferson, SD.
1
Start on US 16
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Mount Rushmore Road
2
Turn left onto US 16; SD 44
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Omaha Street
3
Turn right onto I 190; US 16
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 190; US 16
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 190
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 190
Exit 1B
Toward I 90 East: Sioux Falls
5
Continue on I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79
338 mi
·
5 hr 19 min
·
I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
7
Merge onto I 29
74 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 29
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Jefferson
9
Turn left onto 330th Street
400 ft
·
8 sec
·
330th Street
10
Continue on West Dakota Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Dakota Street
11
Turn right onto CR 1B
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Main Street
12
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
South 3rd Street
13
Arrive at destination
South 3rd Street
Trip Plan
For a drive of this length, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach Jefferson before dark. Since you only have one major stop planned for the 6-hour and 38-minute duration, use that time effectively to stretch your legs and refresh your fuel supply. Keep a close eye on your gas gauge during the 338.5-mile stretch on I-90, as refueling opportunities can feel sparse depending on your exact pace. Given the heavy reliance on interstates, stay alert for changing traffic patterns as you transition between I-90 and I-29. Flexibility is an advantage here, so monitor your energy levels closely and don't hesitate to add a second brief rest break if you find the long highway miles becoming repetitive.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 208.1 miles from Rapid City, SD, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 338.5 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 92 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 208.1 miles or 3h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 39m
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 Rapid City, 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 Rapid City, SD
This is one driving day of about 416.2 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Rapid City, 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 338.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 208.1 mi from Rapid City, SD · 3h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
208 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 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 208.1 miles from Rapid City, 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 338.5 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
$63.22 one way
$126.43 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
146 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $69.69 | $139.38 |
| premium | $4.80 | $78.57 | $157.14 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $92.47 | $184.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 124.9 | 1 | $43.70 | $19.98 |
| Efficient EV | 104.1 | 1 | $36.42 | $16.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 166.5 | 2 | $58.27 | $26.64 |
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 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.
Destination
Jefferson, SD
Evening in Jefferson on Sunday
Local time
6:10 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
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
6h 38m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Rapid City, SD to Jefferson, SD covers 416.2 miles and takes about 6h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 29, I 190. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 208.1 miles from Rapid City, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $63.22 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 itself is not hard, but at 6h 38m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 9 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (I 190; US 16): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 190): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 340.9 miles (I 29): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Rapid City, SD to Jefferson, SD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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