Origin
Tea, SD
Morning in Tea on Wednesday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tea, SD to Sioux Falls, SD
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
18m
Distance
12.5 mi
20 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 17m
★
6 AM
0h 19m
8 AM
0h 22m
10 AM
0h 20m
12 PM
0h 20m
3 PM
0h 20m
5 PM
0h 22m
8 PM
0h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tea, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Sioux Falls, SD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short 12.5-mile drive from Tea, South Dakota, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is easily manageable in about 18 minutes, making it perfect for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-229 and I-29, with a brief section on East Gateway Boulevard. Given its brevity and focus on major highways, this route is best suited for a quick transit rather than an overnight excursion. The estimated fuel cost is a low $2, reflecting the short distance. Both Tea and Sioux Falls are located within the Great Plains region, so expect expansive, open landscapes throughout your journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
6.2 miles from Tea, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for 68% of this drive. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 6.4 miles on I-229. This route is characterized by its efficient, direct nature, primarily utilizing interstates to cover the distance quickly. You'll transition smoothly between these main roadways, maintaining a consistent pace. The drive offers a straightforward transit experience, with minimal deviation from the main thoroughfares.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 229 is the longest continuous segment at about 6.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 229 and East Gateway Boulevard. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near CR 111 / North Heritage Parkway.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 12.5 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 0.5 miles (CR 111 / North Heritage Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 11.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 111 / North Heritage Parkway
Turn left onto CR 111 / North Heritage Parkway
Navigation decision point
8
11.7 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward 10th Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward 10th Street, Downtown
9
11.9 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SD 42: Downtown, Washington Pavilion
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward SD 42: Downtown, Washington Pavilion
5
12.1 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
South Lowell Avenue
Turn right onto South Lowell Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
12.4 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
North Chicago Avenue
Turn right onto North Chicago Avenue
Navigation decision point
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 Tea, SD to Sioux Falls, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
Downtown
11.7 mi in
|
~16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 229 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| East Gateway Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| I 29 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Heritage Parkway | 1 mi | 1m |
| East 1st Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East 8th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Lowell Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Chicago Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 229
— 6.4 mi, about 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tea, SD and Sioux Falls, SD.
1
Start on CR 106
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
East 1st Street
2
Turn left onto CR 111
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Heritage Parkway
3
Turn right onto CR 106
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Gateway Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
5
Merge onto I 29
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 29
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
7
Continue on I 229
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 229
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 6
Toward 10th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
300 ft
·
9 sec
Toward SD 42: Downtown, Washington Pavilion
Use the slight left lane.
10
Turn straight onto I 229 Business; SD 42
527 ft
·
19 sec
·
East 10th Street
11
Turn right onto South Lowell Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
South Lowell Avenue
12
Turn left onto East 8th Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
East 8th Street
13
Turn right onto North Chicago Avenue
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Chicago Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
North Chicago Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total travel time of just 18 minutes, this route offers significant flexibility. You can easily depart at your leisure, perhaps after a morning coffee in Tea. There are no designated stops listed for this short journey, and given the minimal distance, you likely won't need to worry about extensive fuel or rest breaks. However, it's always wise to ensure you have adequate fuel before departing, especially as the longest stretch on I-229 is over 6 miles. Keep an eye out for the transition onto I-29 as you approach Sioux Falls.
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 6.2 miles from Tea, SD, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.4 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 12.5 miles or 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.2 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sioux Falls, SD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tea, 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 Tea, SD
This is one driving day of about 12.5 miles and 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tea, SD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 229 for about 6.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.2 mi from Tea, SD · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 12.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.2 miles from Tea, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Sioux Falls, SD
The final approach into Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls, SD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.95 one way
$3.91 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $2.15 | $4.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $2.41 | $4.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.76 | $5.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.31 | $0.60 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.09 | $0.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5 | 0 | $1.75 | $0.80 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Sioux Falls, SD
Morning in Sioux Falls on Wednesday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Madison, SD
6 mi in
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
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
18m 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 Tea, SD to Sioux Falls, SD covers 12.5 miles and takes about 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 229, East Gateway Boulevard, I 29. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.2 miles from Tea, SD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.95 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 12.5 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 0.5 miles (CR 111 / North Heritage Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 11.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Tea, SD to Sioux Falls, SD, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
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