Drive Time
3h
Distance
168.7 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
The drive from Sioux Falls, SD to Fort Thompson, SD covers 168.7 miles and takes about 3h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East 8th Street, North Lowell Avenue, East 10th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.05 one way before food or hotel costs.
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 30m into the drive .
Expect a 3h drive with frequent turns across 168.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 8th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Lowell Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 10th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 90 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Chamberlain | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East King Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 50 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Sioux Falls, SD and Fort Thompson, SD.
Start on North Chicago Avenue
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 8th Street
Turn right onto North Lowell Avenue
Turn left onto East 10th Street
Take the ramp slight left
Take the exit straight toward I 90
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward Chamberlain
Turn right onto East King Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Continue on SD Highway 50
Turn left onto SD Highway 34
Keep slight left to continue on SD Highway 249
Turn left onto BIA Route 4
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.4 miles or 1h 30m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Thompson, SD than in the middle of the route.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.4 mi from Sioux Falls, SD · 1h 30m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 84.4 miles from Sioux Falls, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.05 one way
$50.09 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $28.25 | $56.49 |
| premium | $4.65 | $30.91 | $61.82 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $35.23 | $70.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59 kg one way.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Sioux Falls on Saturday
Local time
7:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Fort Thompson on Saturday
Local time
7:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
40°F
Mitchell, SD
84 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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