Origin
Spearfish, SD
Evening in Spearfish on Sunday
Local time
8:48 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Spearfish, SD to Tyndall, SD
Drive Time
6h 31m
Distance
374.9 mi
603 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 19m
★
6 AM
6h 31m
8 AM
6h 56m
10 AM
6h 40m
12 PM
6h 37m
3 PM
6h 41m
5 PM
6h 54m
8 PM
6h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spearfish, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Tyndall, SD
Julio Lopez
Trip Overview
Crossing the expanse of South Dakota from Spearfish to Tyndall covers 374.9 miles across the Great Plains. You should budget about 6 hours and 31 minutes of pure driving time, making this a manageable one-day trip if you prefer a steady pace. Expect to spend roughly $57 on fuel for the journey, which relies heavily on major thoroughfares. Because the entire route remains within the Great Plains region of South Dakota, the landscape stays consistent throughout your travel. This highway-focused drive is ideal if you want to reach your destination efficiently without navigating complex detours. It is a straightforward trek that works well for travelers looking to move across the state in a single, focused push.
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
187.5 miles from Spearfish, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 2m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by its efficiency, with 99% of the route consisting of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-90, which accounts for a significant 319.6-mile stretch of the journey. The experience is largely an interstate grind, allowing you to maintain consistent speeds as you traverse the plains. Eventually, the character of the road shifts as you transition off the interstate onto SD Highway 37 and SD Highway 50 for the final leg of the trip. Expect a high-speed, predictable drive that prioritizes directness over technical maneuvers or winding backroads.
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 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 East Jackson Boulevard.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 31m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 9 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
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 320.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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
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
4
374.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 30m in
|
Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Spearfish, SD to Tyndall, 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 | 47.1 mi | 1h 10m |
| SD Highway 50 | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| 303rd Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| South Highway 37 | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Jackson Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West 20th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Burr Street | 0.3 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 Tyndall, 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
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
SD Highway 50
15
Turn left onto CR 303
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
303rd Street
16
Continue on West 20th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West 20th Avenue
17
Turn right onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Main Street
18
Turn right onto West 18th Avenue
50 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 18th Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
West 18th Avenue
Trip Plan
To tackle this 374.9-mile route effectively, aim to depart early in the morning to account for the six-and-a-half-hour drive time. While the trip is feasible in one day, planning for at least one dedicated stop will help you break up the monotony of the long interstate stretches. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 319.6-mile segment on I-90, as this is where you will cover the most distance without turning. Since the route is highly highway-dependent, take advantage of the flexibility to adjust your pace if traffic patterns change. Prioritize your comfort by scheduling your rest break strategically after you leave the main interstate system to transition smoothly onto the state highways.
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 187.5 miles from Spearfish, SD, or about 3h 2m 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 82 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.5 miles or 3h 2m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tyndall, 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 374.9 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 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 187.5 mi from Spearfish, SD · 3h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
187 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 187.5 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 Tyndall, SD
The final approach into Tyndall, 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 Tyndall, 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
$56.94 one way
$113.89 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
131 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $62.77 | $125.55 |
| premium | $4.80 | $70.77 | $141.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $83.29 | $166.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.5 | 1 | $39.36 | $18.00 |
| Efficient EV | 93.7 | 1 | $32.80 | $15.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 150 | 1 | $52.49 | $23.99 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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
Tyndall, SD
Night in Tyndall on Sunday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°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
1 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 31m 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 Tyndall, SD covers 374.9 miles and takes about 6h 31m 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 187.5 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 $56.94 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 31m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 9 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
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 320.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Spearfish, SD to Tyndall, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Mitchell along the way.
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