Origin
Spearfish, SD
Evening in Spearfish on Wednesday
Local time
6:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Spearfish, SD to Kirk, SD
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
29m
Distance
20.2 mi
32 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 27m
★
6 AM
0h 29m
8 AM
0h 34m
10 AM
0h 31m
12 PM
0h 31m
3 PM
0h 31m
5 PM
0h 34m
8 PM
0h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spearfish, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Kirk, SD
Luis Quintero
Trip Overview
This quick 20.2-mile drive from Spearfish to Kirk, South Dakota, will only take about 29 minutes, making it perfect for a day trip. You'll primarily be on highways, with 76% of the route being on major roads like US Highway 85, I-90, and US Highway 14A. Budget around $3 for fuel for this short hop. The drive is focused on efficient travel, moving you through the Great Plains region without significant detours. Given its short duration, it's an easy addition to a larger itinerary or a simple point-to-point journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
10.1 miles from Spearfish, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this journey, with 76% of the 20.2 miles on major roadways. You'll encounter stretches on US Highway 85, I-90, and US Highway 14A, offering a mix of driving speeds. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll navigate is 7.3 miles on US Highway 85. This route prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently, rather than focusing on winding backroads or particularly varied scenery.
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.
US Highway 85 is the longest continuous segment at about 7.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 85 and I 90. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Jackson Boulevard.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 20.2 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: near the start (East Jackson Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.1 miles (US 85): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Jackson Boulevard
Turn right onto East Jackson Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 90 East, US 85 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East, US 85 South
5
6.1 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
US 85
Take the exit onto US 85 toward US 85 South: Deadwood, Lead
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 85 South: Deadwood, Lead
5
13.7 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 14A; US 85 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 14A; US 85 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
18.7 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
Chicago Street
Keep slight left at fork onto Chicago Street
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 Spearfish, SD to Kirk, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Lead along the way.
Lead
6.1 mi in
|
~8m
|
via US 85
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 85 | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| I 90 | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| US Highway 14A | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| Pioneer Way | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Mountain View Drive | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| East Jackson Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Glendale Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 85
— 7.3 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spearfish, SD and Kirk, SD.
1
Start on I 90 Business
85 ft
·
30 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Continue on I 90 Business
166 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Turn right onto East Jackson Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jackson Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 90 East, US 85 South
5
Merge onto I 90; US 14; US 85
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
I 90; US 14; US 85
6
Take the exit onto US 85
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
US 85
Toward US 85 South: Deadwood, Lead
7
Turn right onto US 85
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
US Highway 85
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 14A; US 85
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
9
Continue on US 14A; US 85
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Pioneer Way
10
Continue on US 14A; US 85 Truck
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 14A
11
Continue on US 14A; US 85 Truck
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
Glendale Drive
12
Turn right onto Chicago Street
147 ft
·
6 sec
·
Chicago Street
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Chicago Street
350 ft
·
15 sec
·
Chicago Street
14
Continue on 3rd Street
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
3rd Street
15
Turn left onto Mountain View Drive
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Mountain View Drive
16
Turn left onto Grier Avenue
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Grier Avenue
17
Turn left onto Lost Irishman Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Lost Irishman Road
18
Turn left
249 ft
·
18 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a travel time of just 29 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility for when you depart. Leaving Spearfish, SD, you can easily fit this into any part of your day. The 20.2-mile distance means you won't need extensive breaks, but keep an eye on your fuel, especially since the longest stretch is 7.3 miles on US Highway 85. A $3 fuel estimate suggests this is a very economical leg of your trip. Consider this a straightforward connection through the Great Plains.
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 10.1 miles from Spearfish, SD, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.3 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 20 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.1 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kirk, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Spearfish, SD.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Spearfish, SD
This is one driving day of about 20.2 miles and 29m.
At 20.2 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 85 for about 7.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.1 mi from Spearfish, SD · 12m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.1 miles from Spearfish, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kirk, SD
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Kirk, SD if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.16 one way
$6.32 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $3.47 | $6.93 |
| premium | $4.89 | $3.89 | $7.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.46 | $8.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.1 | 0 | $2.12 | $0.97 |
| Efficient EV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.77 | $0.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.83 | $1.29 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Kirk, SD
Evening in Kirk on Wednesday
Local time
6:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
29m 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 Spearfish, SD to Kirk, SD covers 20.2 miles and takes about 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 85, I 90, US Highway 14A. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.1 miles from Spearfish, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.16 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 20.2 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: near the start (East Jackson Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.1 miles (US 85): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Spearfish, SD to Kirk, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Lead along the way.
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