Origin
Sioux Falls, SD
Afternoon in Sioux Falls on Thursday
Local time
12:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sioux Falls, SD to Milbank, SD
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 27m
Distance
126.3 mi
203 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sioux Falls, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Milbank, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Sioux Falls, SD to Milbank, SD covers 126.3 miles and takes about 2h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 29, SD Highway 15, US Highway 212 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 66.2 miles on I 29. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.75 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.
Midpoint
63.2 miles from Sioux Falls, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 126.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 27m highway drive covering 126.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 29 and SD Highway 15. The longest continuous stretch is about 66.2 miles on I 29.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 66.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 29 and SD Highway 15. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East 8th Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 126.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 13 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.
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
75.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward North SD 15, SD 28: Toronto, Estelline
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward North SD 15, SD 28: Toronto, Estelline
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 Milbank, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Estelline along the way.
Estelline
75.3 mi in
|
~1h 15m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 66.2 mi | 1h 2m |
| SD Highway 15 | 39.7 mi | 55m |
| US Highway 212 | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| I 229 Business | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| SD Highway 28 | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| I 90 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| 3rd Avenue South | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| South Dakota Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 29
— 66.2 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sioux Falls, SD and Milbank, 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
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 90
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 29: Fargo
9
Merge onto I 29
66 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 29
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward North SD 15, SD 28: Toronto, Estelline
11
Turn right onto SD 15; SD 28
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
SD Highway 28
12
Turn left onto SD 15
12 mi
·
13 min
·
SD Highway 15
13
Continue on SD 15
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue South
14
Continue on SD 15
9.1 mi
·
13 min
·
SD Highway 15
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 212; SD 15
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 212
16
Turn left onto SD 15
19 mi
·
27 min
·
SD Highway 15
17
Continue on South Dakota Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Dakota Street
18
Turn right onto US 12
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
West 4th Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
US 12
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 63.2 miles from Sioux Falls, SD, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.2 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 28 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.2 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Milbank, 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 126.3 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Sioux Falls, SD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 29 for about 66.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.2 mi from Sioux Falls, SD · 1h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.2 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 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.2 miles.
Arriving in Milbank, SD
The final approach into Milbank, 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 Milbank, SD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.75 one way
$39.49 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.68 | $43.36 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.31 | $48.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.89 | $55.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.26 | $6.06 |
| Efficient EV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.05 | $5.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.68 | $8.08 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Milbank, SD
Afternoon in Milbank on Thursday
Local time
12:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
24 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
2h 27m 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 Milbank, SD covers 126.3 miles and takes about 2h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 29, SD Highway 15, US Highway 212. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.2 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 $19.75 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 126.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 Milbank, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Estelline along the way.
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