Origin
Spearfish, SD
Evening in Spearfish on Sunday
Local time
6:21 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Spearfish, SD to Springfield, SD
Drive Time
6h 44m
Distance
383.2 mi
617 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 33m
★
6 AM
6h 45m
8 AM
7h 9m
10 AM
6h 53m
12 PM
6h 51m
3 PM
6h 54m
5 PM
7h 7m
8 PM
6h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spearfish, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Springfield, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Crossing the expanse of South Dakota from Spearfish to Springfield covers 383.2 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 44 minutes. Because you remain within the Great Plains region for the entire journey, you can expect a consistent landscape as you move across the state. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, though you should budget approximately $58 for fuel to complete the trek. By utilizing I-90, SD Highway 37, and SD Highway 50, you can maintain steady progress toward your destination. Whether this drive fits your schedule depends on your comfort with a full day behind the wheel, as it is a straightforward highway-focused experience.
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
191.6 miles from Spearfish, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient journey, as 99% of this trip consists of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-90, which accounts for a significant 319.6-mile uninterrupted stretch. The transition from the interstate onto SD Highway 37 and SD Highway 50 shifts the pace as you move toward Springfield. This is a practical, no-nonsense route where the focus is on covering distance rather than navigating technical backroads. Because the road conditions remain consistent for nearly the entire duration, you can settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 319.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and SD Highway 37. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 90 Business / North Main Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 44m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 90 Business / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (East Jackson Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 90 Business / North Main Street
Continue onto I 90 Business / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
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
4
320.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 7m in
Take the exit toward Mitchell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Mitchell
5
320.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Spearfish, SD to Springfield, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Mitchell along the way.
Mitchell
320.5 mi in
|
~5h 7m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 319.6 mi | 5h 5m |
| SD Highway 37 | 55.9 mi | 1h 25m |
| SD Highway 50 | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| South Highway 37 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Walnut Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| East Jackson Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Burr Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| SD 37P | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 319.6 mi, about 5h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spearfish, SD and Springfield, 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
14 mi
·
14 min
·
I 90; US 14; US 85
6
Continue on I 90; US 14; SD 34
7.6 mi
·
7 min
·
I 90; US 14; SD 34
7
Continue on I 90; US 14; SD 79
24 mi
·
24 min
·
I 90; US 14; SD 79
8
Continue on I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79
274 mi
·
4 hr 19 min
·
I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward Mitchell
10
Keep slight right at fork
190 ft
·
4 sec
11
Turn slight right onto SD 37
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
South Burr Street
12
Continue on SD 37
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Highway 37
13
Continue on SD 37
47 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
SD Highway 37
14
Turn left onto SD 37; SD 50
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
SD Highway 50
15
Turn right onto SD 37
8.8 mi
·
15 min
·
SD Highway 37
16
Turn left onto SD 37P
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Walnut Street
17
Turn slight right onto SD 37P
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
SD 37P
18
Arrive at destination
SD 37P
Trip Plan
To keep your day manageable, plan to depart early in the morning so you can arrive in Springfield without rushing. Since the route includes only one planned stop, ensure you utilize that break effectively to stretch your legs and refresh your supplies. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long interstate portion to ensure you aren't caught off guard by the $58 estimated cost. Given that this is a 383.2-mile commitment, staying alert during the long I-90 stretch is vital for your safety. If you find the duration taxing, remember that the flexibility of a single-day trip allows you to adjust your departure time to beat potential traffic.
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 191.6 miles from Spearfish, SD, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 319.6 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 84 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191.6 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Spearfish, 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 Spearfish, SD
This is one driving day of about 383.2 miles and 6h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Spearfish, 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 319.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 191.6 mi from Spearfish, SD · 3h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
192 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 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 191.6 miles from Spearfish, 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 319.6 miles.
Arriving in Springfield, SD
The final approach into Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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
$58.20 one way
$116.41 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
134 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $64.16 | $128.33 |
| premium | $4.80 | $72.34 | $144.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $85.13 | $170.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 115 | 1 | $40.24 | $18.39 |
| Efficient EV | 95.8 | 1 | $33.53 | $15.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 153.3 | 1 | $53.65 | $24.52 |
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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
Springfield, SD
Evening in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
7:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
7 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 44m 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 Spearfish, SD to Springfield, SD covers 383.2 miles and takes about 6h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, SD Highway 37, SD Highway 50. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 191.6 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 $58.20 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 44m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 90 Business / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (East Jackson Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Spearfish, SD to Springfield, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Mitchell along the way.
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