Origin
Sturgis, SD
Evening in Sturgis on Sunday
Local time
5:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sturgis, SD to Jefferson, SD
Drive Time
7h 3m
Distance
441 mi
710 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$67
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 52m
★
6 AM
7h 3m
8 AM
7h 26m
10 AM
7h 11m
12 PM
7h 9m
3 PM
7h 12m
5 PM
7h 24m
8 PM
6h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sturgis, SD
Julio Lopez
Jefferson, SD
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Sturgis, SD to Jefferson, SD covers 441 miles and takes about 7h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, I 29, Junction Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 363.8 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $66.98 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
220.5 miles from Sturgis, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 7h 3m highway drive covering 441 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and I 29. The longest continuous stretch is about 363.8 miles on I 90.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 363.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,636 ft
1,115 ft
Total Climb
890 ft
Total Descent
3,200 ft
Highest Point
3,636 ft
~18.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,520 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 29. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 90 Business / Junction Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 3m, 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 / Junction Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 365.7 miles (I 29): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 439.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
|
I 90 Business / Junction Avenue
Turn left onto I 90 Business / Junction Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
365.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 48m in
|
I 29
Merge onto I 29
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
439.7 mi into trip
|
~7h in
Take the exit toward Jefferson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Jefferson
4
439.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 1m in
|
330th Street
Turn left onto 330th Street
Navigation decision point
5
440.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 3m in
|
South 3rd Street
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 363.8 mi | 5h 45m |
| I 29 | 74.1 mi | 1h 11m |
| Junction Avenue | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| West Dakota Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| I 90 Business | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 330th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 363.8 mi, about 5h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sturgis, SD and Jefferson, SD.
1
Start on Edmunds Street
13 ft
·
6 sec
·
Edmunds Street
2
Turn left onto I 90 Business
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Junction Avenue
3
Take the ramp onto I 90 Business
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
I 90 Business
4
Merge onto I 90; US 14; SD 79
25 mi
·
25 min
·
I 90; US 14; SD 79
5
Continue on I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79
338 mi
·
5 hr 19 min
·
I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
7
Merge onto I 29
74 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 29
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Jefferson
9
Turn left onto 330th Street
400 ft
·
8 sec
·
330th Street
10
Continue on West Dakota Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Dakota Street
11
Turn right onto CR 1B
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Main Street
12
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
South 3rd Street
13
Arrive at destination
South 3rd Street
Trip Plan
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 220.5 miles from Sturgis, SD, or about 3h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 363.8 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 97 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 220.5 miles or 3h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sturgis, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sturgis, SD
This is one driving day of about 441 miles and 7h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 97 miles from Sturgis, SD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 363.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 220.5 mi from Sturgis, SD · 3h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
221 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 97 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 220.5 miles from Sturgis, 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 363.8 miles.
Arriving in Jefferson, SD
The final approach into Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, 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
$66.98 one way
$133.97 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
154 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $73.84 | $147.68 |
| premium | $4.80 | $83.25 | $166.50 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $97.97 | $195.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 154.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 132.3 | 1 | $46.30 | $21.17 |
| Efficient EV | 110.3 | 1 | $38.59 | $17.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 176.4 | 2 | $61.74 | $28.22 |
Gas CO2
154 kg
EV CO2
52 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
Jefferson, SD
Evening in Jefferson on Sunday
Local time
6:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
4 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
7h 3m 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 Sturgis, SD to Jefferson, SD covers 441 miles and takes about 7h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 29, Junction Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 220.5 miles from Sturgis, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $66.98 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 7h 3m, 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 / Junction Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 365.7 miles (I 29): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 439.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Sturgis, SD to Jefferson, SD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 1,115 ft to 3,636 ft elevation with about 890 ft of total climbing.
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