The drive from Rapid City, SD to Garretson, SD covers 361.7 miles and takes about 5h 49m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, 482nd Avenue, 254th Street for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 348.6 miles on I 90.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $56.55 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
180.9 miles from Rapid City, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 49m. Total distance: 361.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 5h 49m highway drive covering 361.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and 482nd Avenue. The longest continuous stretch is about 348.6 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 15 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 348.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and 482nd Avenue. 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.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 49m drive. You will face about 7 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 350.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key points
These 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
350.6 mi into trip|~5h 34m in
Take the exit toward SD 11: Corson, Brandon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SD 11: Corson, Brandon
5
350.8 mi into trip|~5h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
361.2 mi into trip|~5h 48m in|5th Street
Turn right onto 5th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
348.6 mi
5h 30m
482nd Avenue
6.4 mi
8m
254th Street
2.8 mi
3m
I 190
1.5 mi
2m
River Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
5th Street
0.4 mi
1m
485th Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Mount Rushmore Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 348.6 mi, about 5h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rapid City, SD and Garretson, 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 1BToward I 90 East: Sioux Falls
5
Continue on I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79
349 mi·5 hr 30 min·I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward SD 11: Corson, Brandon
7
Keep slight left at fork
193 ft·4 sec
8
Turn straight onto SD 11
475 ft·11 sec·North Splitrock Boulevard
9
Continue on SD 11
6.4 mi·8 min·482nd Avenue
10
Continue on SD 11
2.8 mi·3 min·254th Street
11
Continue on SD 11
0.4 mi·43 sec·485th Avenue
12
Continue on SD 11
0.6 mi·1 min·River Avenue
13
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·5th Street
14
Turn right onto North Main Avenue
292 ft·7 sec·North Main Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
North Main 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 180.9 miles from Rapid City, SD, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 348.6 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 80 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.9 miles or 2h 53m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garretson, 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 361.7 miles and 5h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 348.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 180.9 mi from Rapid City, SD
· 2h 53m into the drive
The midpoint is around 180.9 miles from Rapid City, 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 348.6 miles.
Arriving in Garretson, SD
The final approach into Garretson, 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 Garretson, 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.
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...
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 62.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.55 one way
$113.10 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg127 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$62.09
$124.17
premium
$4.89
$69.61
$139.21
diesel
$5.61
$79.86
$159.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
19 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Rapid City, South Dakota
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Rapid City, South Dakota
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Box Elder, South Dakota
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Rapid City, South Dakota
Tesla
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Wall, South Dakota
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Rapid City, South Dakota
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Pilot Flying J Charging Station
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 9
Electrify America: 3
Other: 2
Blink: 2
Tesla: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.5
1
$37.98
$17.36
Efficient EV
90.4
1
$31.65
$14.47
EV Truck/SUV
144.7
1
$50.64
$23.15
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Rapid City, SD
Late night
in Rapid City on Saturday
Local time
1:52 AM
MDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Garretson, SD
Late night
in Garretson on Saturday
Local time
2:52 AM
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
32 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 49m 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 Garretson, SD covers 361.7 miles and takes about 5h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, 482nd Avenue, 254th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 180.9 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 $56.55 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 49m drive. You will face about 7 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 350.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Rapid City, SD to Garretson, SD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
