Trip from Sturgis, SD to Porcupine, SD

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

3h 20m

Distance

112.1 mi

180 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 8m ★

6 AM

3h 20m

8 AM

3h 44m

10 AM

3h 29m

12 PM

3h 26m

3 PM

3h 30m

5 PM

3h 43m

8 PM

3h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Sturgis, SD

Wikimedia Commons

Porcupine, SD

Magda Ehlers

Trip Overview

The drive from Sturgis, SD to Porcupine, SD covers 112.1 miles and takes about 3h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on East Highway 44, I 90, North Big Foot Trail for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.3 miles on East Highway 44. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.53 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

56 miles from Sturgis, SD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 112.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (67%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 20m highway drive covering 112.1 miles, with most of the trip on East Highway 44 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch is about 40.3 miles on East Highway 44.

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.

East Highway 44 is the longest continuous segment at about 40.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East Highway 44 and I 90. 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.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 20m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 90 Business / Junction Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 29.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | I 90 Business / Junction Avenue

Turn left onto I 90 Business / Junction Avenue

Navigation decision point

28.8 mi into trip | ~30m in

Take the exit toward East North Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward East North Street

29.1 mi into trip | ~31m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

112.1 mi into trip | ~3h 20m in | Main Street

Turn left onto Main Street

Navigation decision point

112.1 mi into trip | ~3h 20m in | Eagle Drive

Turn left onto Eagle Drive

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
East Highway 44	40.3 mi	1h 6m
I 90	27.4 mi	28m
North Big Foot Trail	19.2 mi	46m
Big Foot Trail	7.9 mi	19m
Bombing Range Road	6.8 mi	16m
Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 27	6.8 mi	16m
Junction Avenue	1.1 mi	1m
East North Street	1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: East Highway 44 — 40.3 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sturgis, SD and Porcupine, SD.

Start on Edmunds Street

13 ft · 6 sec · Edmunds Street

Turn left onto I 90 Business

1.1 mi · 1 min · Junction Avenue

Take the ramp onto I 90 Business

0.3 mi · 38 sec · I 90 Business

Merge onto I 90; US 14; SD 79

25 mi · 25 min · I 90; US 14; SD 79

Continue on I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 90; US 14; US 16 Truck; SD 79

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 30 sec

Toward East North Street

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Turn straight onto I 90 Business

1.0 mi · 2 min · East North Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto North Cambell Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Cambell Street

Turn left onto SD 44

40 mi · 1 hr 6 min · East Highway 44

Turn right onto Main Street

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Main Street

Continue on Bombing Range Road

6.8 mi · 16 min · Bombing Range Road

Continue on BIA 27

7.9 mi · 19 min · Big Foot Trail

Continue on BIA 27

6.8 mi · 16 min · Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 27

Continue on BIA 27

19 mi · 46 min · North Big Foot Trail

Turn left onto Main Street

124 ft · 8 sec · Main Street

Turn left onto Eagle Drive

29 ft · 1 sec · Eagle Drive

Arrive at destination

Eagle Drive

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 56 miles from Sturgis, SD, or about 1h 16m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.3 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 25 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 56 miles or 1h 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Porcupine, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Sturgis, SD

This is one driving day of about 112.1 miles and 3h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Sturgis, 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 East Highway 44 for about 40.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56 mi from Sturgis, SD · 1h 16m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New Underwood, SD

56 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

Rapid City, SD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Underwood, SD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56 miles from Sturgis, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Porcupine, SD

The final approach into Porcupine, 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 Porcupine, SD.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Badlands National Park

National Park

The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $30 near mile 77.3

Caution: Navigation

View on nps.gov

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

National Memorial

Majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, tell the story of the birth, growth, devel...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour Free near mile 30.9

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.53 one way

$35.05 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$19.24	$38.48
premium	$4.89	$21.57	$43.15
diesel	$5.61	$24.75	$49.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	33.6	$11.77	$5.38
Efficient EV	28	$9.81	$4.48
EV Truck/SUV	44.8	$15.69	$7.17

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Sturgis, SD

Night in Sturgis on Thursday

Local time

9:11 PM

MDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Porcupine, SD

Night in Porcupine on Thursday

Local time

9:11 PM

MDT

Current temp

26°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

48 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

3h 20m 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 Sturgis, SD to Porcupine, SD covers 112.1 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are East Highway 44, I 90, North Big Foot Trail. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 56 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 $17.53 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 3h 20m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The route from Sturgis, SD to Porcupine, SD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

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