Origin
Sioux Falls, SD
Morning in Sioux Falls on Wednesday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sioux Falls, SD to Custer, SD
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
6h 30m
Distance
389.1 mi
626 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 18m
★
6 AM
6h 30m
8 AM
6h 55m
10 AM
6h 39m
12 PM
6h 37m
3 PM
6h 40m
5 PM
6h 54m
8 PM
6h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sioux Falls, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 389.1-mile journey from Sioux Falls to Custer, South Dakota, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes to complete. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 96% of the drive on major roads, making it a straightforward trip. You'll primarily be on I 90, then transitioning to South Highway 16 and Highway 385. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $61, and with only one recommended stop, it’s a relatively uninterrupted travel experience. This trip is a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground across the South Dakota landscape.
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
194.6 miles from Sioux Falls, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this drive, with I 90 dominating the initial 338.5 miles. This means consistent speeds and a predictable road surface for the bulk of your journey. As you approach Custer, the landscape will shift as you transition to South Highway 16 and then Highway 385. While the majority of the drive is on interstates, the final legs offer a change of pace. This route is about covering distance efficiently, with the road primarily serving as a conduit across the Great Plains.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 South Highway 16. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East 8th Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 30m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East 8th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (North Lowell Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (I 229 Business): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 8th Street
At end of road, turn left onto East 8th Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Lowell Avenue
Turn right onto North Lowell Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 229 Business
Take the ramp onto I 229 Business
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
343.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 16 Truck, ND 79 South: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 16 Truck, ND 79 South: Mount Rushmore...
5
343.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 28m in
Keep slight left 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 Sioux Falls, SD to Custer, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Crazy Horse along the way.
Crazy Horse
343.5 mi in
|
~5h 27m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 338.5 mi | 5h 19m |
| South Highway 16 | 17.5 mi | 21m |
| Highway 385 | 9.2 mi | 13m |
| US Highway 16/385 | 6 mi | 7m |
| North Elk Vale Road | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| I 229 Business | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Catron Boulevard | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| East Main Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 338.5 mi, about 5h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sioux Falls, SD and Custer, SD.
1
Start on North Chicago Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
North Chicago Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto East 8th Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
East 8th Street
3
Turn right onto North Lowell Avenue
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
North Lowell Avenue
4
Turn left onto I 229 Business; SD 42
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
East 10th Street
5
Take the ramp onto I 229 Business
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
I 229 Business
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 90
7
Merge onto I 90
339 mi
·
5 hr 19 min
·
I 90
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 16 Truck, ND 79 South: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
10
Continue on US 16 Truck; SD 79
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
North Elk Vale Road
11
Continue on US 16 Truck
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East Catron Boulevard
12
Continue on US 16 Truck
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Catron Boulevard
13
Turn left onto US 16
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Mount Rushmore Road
14
Continue on US 16
18 mi
·
21 min
·
South Highway 16
15
Continue on US 16
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 385
16
Continue on US 16; US 385
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
17
Continue on US 16; US 385
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Highway 385
18
Continue on US 16; US 385
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 16/385
19
Continue on US 16; US 385
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North 5th Street
20
Turn left onto US 16A; SD 89
421 ft
·
10 sec
·
Mount Rushmore Road
21
Arrive at destination
US 16A; SD 89
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour and 30-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Sioux Falls to maximize daylight hours, especially if you plan to explore Custer upon arrival. The longest stretch without a significant road change is 338.5 miles on I 90, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. While the route data suggests only one stop, you might want to break up the drive a bit more for comfort. Given the $61 fuel cost, ensure your tank is full before leaving Sioux Falls to avoid any unexpected detours for gas.
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 194.6 miles from Sioux Falls, SD, or about 3h 6m 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 86 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 194.6 miles or 3h 6m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Custer, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls, SD
This is one driving day of about 389.1 miles and 6h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Sioux Falls, 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 194.6 mi from Sioux Falls, SD · 3h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
195 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 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 194.6 miles from Sioux Falls, 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 Custer, SD
The final approach into Custer, 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 Custer, 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
$60.83 one way
$121.66 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
136 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $66.79 | $133.58 |
| premium | $4.89 | $74.88 | $149.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $85.91 | $171.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 116.7 | 1 | $40.86 | $18.68 |
| Efficient EV | 97.3 | 1 | $34.05 | $15.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 155.6 | 1 | $54.47 | $24.90 |
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
46 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
Custer, SD
Late night in Custer on Wednesday
Local time
5:00 AM
MDT
Current temp
69°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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
29 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 30m 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 Sioux Falls, SD to Custer, SD covers 389.1 miles and takes about 6h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, South Highway 16, Highway 385. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 194.6 miles from Sioux Falls, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $60.83 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 30m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East 8th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (North Lowell Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (I 229 Business): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Sioux Falls, SD to Custer, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Crazy Horse along the way.
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