Origin
Rapid City, SD
Afternoon in Rapid City on Wednesday
Local time
2:29 PM
MDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rapid City, SD to Tyndall, SD
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
5h 45m
Distance
330.6 mi
532 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 33m
★
6 AM
5h 46m
8 AM
6h 12m
10 AM
5h 55m
12 PM
5h 52m
3 PM
5h 56m
5 PM
6h 11m
8 PM
5h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rapid City, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Tyndall, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 330.6-mile journey from Rapid City, South Dakota, to Tyndall, South Dakota, is a manageable one-day drive, estimated to take about 5 hours and 45 minutes. Primarily following I-90 and then transitioning to SD Highway 37 and SD Highway 50, this route is almost entirely highway driving. With a projected fuel cost of $52, it's an economical trip for a single day. The drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape. This trip is well-suited for those looking for a straightforward transit between these two South Dakota locations without needing 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
165.3 miles from Rapid City, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 99% of the drive taking place on major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-90, including an uninterrupted stretch of 274.2 miles, which allows for steady progress. As you transition to SD Highway 37 and SD Highway 50, the character remains highway-oriented, maintaining a consistent pace. This drive is designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways, making it a predictable and direct path across the landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 274.2 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 0.4 miles in near I 190; US 16.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 45m 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 0.4 miles (I 190; US 16): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 190): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 276.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
4
276.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 22m in
Take the exit toward Mitchell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Mitchell
5
276.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
330.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 45m in
|
Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
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 Rapid City, SD to Tyndall, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Mitchell along the way.
Mitchell
276.2 mi in
|
~4h 22m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 274.2 mi | 4h 19m |
| SD Highway 37 | 47.1 mi | 1h 10m |
| SD Highway 50 | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| I 190 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 303rd Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| South Highway 37 | 1 mi | 1m |
| West 20th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Burr Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 274.2 mi, about 4h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rapid City, SD and Tyndall, 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
274 mi
·
4 hr 19 min
·
I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward Mitchell
7
Keep slight right at fork
190 ft
·
4 sec
8
Turn slight right onto SD 37
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
South Burr Street
9
Continue on SD 37
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Highway 37
10
Continue on SD 37
47 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
SD Highway 37
11
Turn left onto SD 37; SD 50
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
SD Highway 50
12
Turn left onto CR 303
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
303rd Street
13
Continue on West 20th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West 20th Avenue
14
Turn right onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Main Street
15
Turn right onto West 18th Avenue
50 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 18th Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
West 18th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 45-minute duration, starting your drive from Rapid City in the morning will allow you to reach Tyndall by early afternoon, leaving ample time for your destination. While the route has only one recommended stop, you might consider breaking up the longest stretch on I-90, which is 274.2 miles, with a brief rest. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially before heading onto the longer highway segments, and remember the estimated fuel cost is $52. The flexibility of a single-day drive means you can adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 165.3 miles from Rapid City, SD, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 274.2 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 73 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.3 miles or 2h 37m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tyndall, 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 330.6 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 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 274.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 165.3 mi from Rapid City, SD · 2h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 165.3 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 274.2 miles.
Arriving in Tyndall, SD
The final approach into Tyndall, 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 Tyndall, 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
$51.69 one way
$103.37 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
116 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $56.75 | $113.50 |
| premium | $4.89 | $63.62 | $127.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $72.99 | $145.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.7 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 | 99.2 | 1 | $34.71 | $15.87 |
| Efficient EV | 82.7 | 0 | $28.93 | $13.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 132.2 | 1 | $46.28 | $21.16 |
Gas CO2
116 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.
Destination
Tyndall, SD
Afternoon in Tyndall on Wednesday
Local time
3:29 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 45m 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 Rapid City, SD to Tyndall, SD covers 330.6 miles and takes about 5h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, SD Highway 37, SD Highway 50. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 165.3 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 $51.69 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 5h 45m 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 0.4 miles (I 190; US 16): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 190): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 276.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Rapid City, SD to Tyndall, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Mitchell along the way.
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