Here’s Why Driving Across South Dakota Seems To Take Forever

Summer is in the air, and we’re thinking about hitting the road for some fresh scenery. That got me wondering: exactly how many miles of paved paradise criss-cross South Dakota and how does that stack up against our neighboring states?

The National Starting Line

The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) tallies a jaw-dropping 8,483,969 miles of roads across the United States. Just how far is that by comparsion? Buckle up:

• 341 laps around Earth’s equator

• 17.8 round-trip moon missions

• 3,463 NYC-to-L.A. cross-country hauls

• 1,072 Earths laid end-to-end

• 1,060 Boeing 747 flights at 8,000 miles each

Talk about frequent-flier status!

South Dakota vs. the Midwest Mile-High Club

Here’s how the FHA’s latest mileage scoreboard shakes out closer to home:

South Dakota’s intersate portfolio holds its own against it's neighbors, thank you very much. No wonder I-90 from Sioux Falls to the Black Hills feels like a never-ending audiobook.

The Top-Five Asphalt All-Stars

Ready for the big-league mileage champions?

1. Texas – 654,923 miles (Everything’s bigger in Texas, including your gas bill.)

2. California – 386,604 miles (Golden State? More like Golden Gate-to-Everywhere.)

3. Illinois – 292,789 miles (Cornfields need roads too.)

4. Minnesota – 283,828 miles (Land of 10,000 Lakes, and apparently just as many lane splits.)

5. Kansas – 286,606 miles (Flat, yes. Short on roads, no.)

Bottom Line

Whether you’re clocking a cross-country odyssey or a quick dash to Wall Drug, South Dakota’s 166,814 miles of road mean you’re never short on scenic detours, or potty stops. So top off that tank, queue up your favorite road-trip playlist, and remember: the mileage may vary, but the memories don’t have to.