Origin
Sioux Falls, SD
Afternoon in Sioux Falls on Sunday
Local time
4:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sioux Falls, SD to Fort Thompson, SD
Drive Time
3h
Distance
168.7 mi
272 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 49m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sioux Falls, SD
Tom Fisk
Fort Thompson, SD
Esteban Carriazo
Trip Overview
Spanning 168.7 miles across the South Dakota Great Plains, this route takes you from Sioux Falls to Fort Thompson in about 3 hours. It is an ideal one-day trip, requiring minimal planning for an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to cover the distance. Because you stay within the Great Plains region for the entire journey, the landscape remains consistent as you transition between these two locations. This straightforward drive is a practical choice if you are looking for an efficient way to cross the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.4 miles from Sioux Falls, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 97% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-90, which accounts for a 134.3-mile stretch of the journey. Beyond the interstate, you will transition onto SD Highway 50 and SD Highway 34 to reach your destination. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience behind the wheel rather than technical, winding backroads. The route offers a steady rhythm, allowing you to cover significant ground quickly while moving between the designated state highways.
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 134.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and SD Highway 50. 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
This is a straightforward 3h drive. You will face about 12 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 (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 12 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 none lane.
4
4.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward I 90
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 90
5
5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Sioux Falls, SD to Fort Thompson, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Chamberlain along the way.
Chamberlain
139.3 mi in
|
~2h 15m
|
via I 90 Business; SD 50
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 134.3 mi | 2h 7m |
| SD Highway 50 | 18.8 mi | 28m |
| SD Highway 34 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| I 229 Business | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| East King Street | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| South Main Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| SD Highway 249 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| I 90 Business | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 134.3 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sioux Falls, SD and Fort Thompson, 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 none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 90
7
Merge onto I 90
134 mi
·
2 hr 7 min
·
I 90
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; SD 50
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
I 90 Business; SD 50
Toward Chamberlain
9
Turn right onto I 90 Business; SD 50
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
East King Street
10
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
11
Continue on SD 50
19 mi
·
28 min
·
SD Highway 50
12
Turn left onto SD 34
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
SD Highway 34
13
Keep slight left at fork onto SD 249
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
SD Highway 249
14
Turn left onto BIA 4
65 ft
·
1 sec
·
BIA Route 4
15
Arrive at destination
BIA 4
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is only 3 hours, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to break up the long interstate segment and keep your focus sharp. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the 134.3-mile stretch on I-90, as services may be spaced out along this primary artery. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing to rush. Use the extra time to enjoy the open road and maintain a steady pace across the plains.
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 84.4 miles from Sioux Falls, SD, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.3 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 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.4 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Thompson, 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 168.7 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 134.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.4 mi from Sioux Falls, SD · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.4 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 134.3 miles.
Arriving in Fort Thompson, SD
The final approach into Fort Thompson, 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 Fort Thompson, 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
$25.62 one way
$51.25 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $28.25 | $56.49 |
| premium | $4.80 | $31.85 | $63.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.48 | $74.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.71 | $8.10 |
| Efficient EV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.76 | $6.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.5 | 0 | $23.62 | $10.80 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Fort Thompson, SD
Afternoon in Fort Thompson on Sunday
Local time
4:54 PM
CDT
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
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
3h on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Fort Thompson, SD covers 168.7 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, SD Highway 50, SD Highway 34. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.4 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 $25.62 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 Fort Thompson, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Chamberlain along the way.
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