Drive Time
5h
Distance
332.3 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
The drive from Tyndall, SD to Rapid City, SD covers 332.3 miles and takes about 5h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Main Street, West 20th Avenue, 303rd Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.33 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
166.1 miles from Tyndall, SD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Expect a 5h drive with frequent turns across 332.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 20th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 303rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 50 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 37 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Burr Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 190 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Omaha Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Tyndall, SD and Rapid City, SD.
Start on West 18th Avenue
Turn left onto Main Street
Turn left onto West 20th Avenue
Continue on 303rd Street
Turn right onto SD Highway 50
Turn right onto SD Highway 37
Continue on South Highway 37
Continue on South Burr Street
Take the ramp slight left
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 190, US 16: Downtown, Black Hawk National Forest, Mount Rushmore
Continue straight
Turn left onto Omaha Street
Turn right onto Mount Rushmore Road
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.1 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rapid City, SD than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Tyndall, 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 Tyndall, SD
This is one driving day of about 332.3 miles and 5h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 166.1 mi from Tyndall, SD · 2h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
166 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 166.1 miles from Tyndall, SD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Rapid City, 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 Rapid City, SD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$49.33 one way
$98.67 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $55.64 | $111.28 |
| premium | $4.65 | $60.89 | $121.77 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $69.39 | $138.78 |
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals (1 day)
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.3 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Tyndall on Saturday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Rapid City on Saturday
Local time
3:19 AM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
69°F
Fort Thompson, SD
166 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Explore more options from Tyndall, SD or browse trips ending in Rapid City, SD.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SD road trips.
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