Best Rides from Minneapolis to Sturgis

Distance: 672 miles
Time (Before Stops): 11 hours, 7 minutes 

See route map

You’ll weave your way through time on this highway route across two states. Experience Native cultures, visit iconic roadside attractions and witness an intact Cold War relic as you make your way through cornfields into the Black Hills. We've added a detour to South Dakota's most famous landmark, but feel free to skip it if you'd rather head straight to the rally.

Mankato, MN

• Minneopa State Park: For a preview of things to come in South Dakota, take a cruise through Minneopa State Park to see a herd of bison that roam 325 acres of grassy habitat.
• The Rapidan Dam Store: After leaving the park, swing down to Rapidan to sample legendary homemade pies at this beloved roadside eatery.

Worthington, MN

• Spomer Classics: This museum of classic automobiles and memorabilia features a glorious collection of neon signage and gleaming cars you need to see to believe.

Luverne, MN

• Blue Mounds State Park: Named for its striking 100-foot Sioux Quartzite cliffs, this park is home to peaceful hiking trails and abundant wildlife, including more bison.

Sioux Falls, SD

• Falls Park: Once you arrive in SoDak's biggest city, head straight downtown to check out the cascades that gave Sioux Falls its name. 
• SculptureWalk: More than 80 sculptures placed throughout downtown make an excellent way to tour this vibrant city.
• Carnaval Brazilian Grill: A "festival of meat" is what you can expect at this Brazilian-style steakhouse, so come hungry. Carnaval serves seafood and pizza in addition to its trademark steaks they carve tableside. 
• The Treasury: Stop for a nightcap at this elegant lounge, located in the lobby of the hip Hotel on Phillips.
• J&L Harley-Davidson: In the weeks surrounding Sturgis, thousands of bikers pass through this lively dealership that can help you keep humming along.

Mitchell, SD

• World's Only Corn Palace: Decorated annually with corn, grass and grain, this massive building is a roadside attraction like no other. Coordinate your travels with the Palace City Pre-Sturgis Party, held Thursday, August 1, 2024.

Chamberlain, SD

• Dignity: Of Earth & Sky: Though you can see her from the highway, you'll want to get a close-up look at Dignity, a magnificent sculpture that honors South Dakota's Native people.

Murdo, SD

• Pioneer Auto Show: See more than 300 vintage cars, motorcycles and trucks at this sprawling compound that also boasts a '50s-style diner.
• 1880 Town: Tour more than 30 relic-stuffed buildings dating between 1880 and 1920, and don't miss the exhibit of authentic "Dances with Wolves" movie props.

Philip, SD

• Minuteman Missile National Historic Site: The Minuteman Missile was one of 1,000 weapons hidden in the Great Plains during the Cold War to defend America against nuclear attack. Today, you can drop in to the missile silo and visitor center, or call ahead to reserve a guided tour of the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility.

Wall, SD

• Wall Drug Store: Since opening its doors in 1931, Wall Drug has become something of a pilgrimage for road travelers. Stop for grub, merch and, yes, free ice water.
• Badlands National Park: Don't miss the chance to explore one of America's most unique national parks. Whether you stay the night at a cabin or campsite, or just pass through on the Badlands Loop Scenic Road, this park is a must-visit.

Rapid City, SD

• Tally’s Silver Spoon: The name may suggest diner, but Tally's delivers elevated eats with artistic flare — like a ham-and-swiss sandwich studded with foie gras or a hanger steak smothered in rich hollandaise. Out front is a bronze statue of Ronald Reagan, one of the many presidential statues standing guard throughout downtown Rapid City.
• Armadillos Ice Cream Shoppe: The massive menu of frozen delights — there are 21 sundaes alone! — will surely please any sweet tooth.
• The Journey Museum & Learning Center: Explore 3 billion years of Black Hills history at this museum that covers the people, animals and geology of the region.

Keystone, SD

• Mount Rushmore National Memorial: Make a 30-minute detour south out of Rapid City to "America's Shrine of Democracy," where every time you see the 60-foot faces of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt, it feels like the first time.
• Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway: Leaving from Mount Rushmore, experience a true marvel of modern engineering. The roads that make up Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway, including Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road, were constructed in the 1920s and '30s, and contain everything from hairpin curves to wooden "pigtail" bridges.

Nemo, SD

• Wonderland Cave: Take another scenic route from Rapid City to Sturgis, journeying through Vanocker Canyon in the heart of the Black Hills National Forest. On the way, step into this cave, which is loaded with stalagmites, stalactites, boxwork crystals and other geological wonders.

Distance: 582 miles
Time (Before Stops): 10 hours, 7 minutes

See route map

If you prefer the laidback pace of off-highway riding, this is the route for you. Following highways 12 and 212 across Minnesota and South Dakota, you'll cross wide expanses of prairie in both states. To keep things interesting, we've added a few worthy diversions that'll make for great stories once you get to Sturgis.

Darwin, MN

• World's Largest Ball of Twine Rolled by One Man: It took Minnesota farmer Francis Johnson 29 years to roll this 12-foot masterpiece. If you happen to be passing back through on the second Saturday in August, you can even attend Twine Ball Days, an annual celebration of Johnson's handiwork.

Montevideo, MN

• Historic Chippewa City: Artist Terry Redlin — whose museum you can visit down the road in Watertown, SD — was inspired by the small-town charm of Historic Chippewa City, a collection of 24 buildings recreating a late-19th-century village.

Madison, MN

• Lou T. Fisk: Pay a quick visit to this giant cod statue that celebrates Madison's status as the American capital of lutefisk, a Scandinavian dried cod dish that was supposedly invented by the Vikings.

Watertown, SD

• Redlin Art Center: See the work of hometown artist Terry Redlin, who embarked on a career in painting after sustaining a serious motorcycle injury at age 15. By the early 1990s, he was dubbed "America's most popular artist."
• Lake Kampeska: If you could use a moment of tranquility, head to Sandy Shore Recreation Area on the southern end of Lake Kampeska, home to swimming, camping and picnic sites.
• The Sandbar: Grab a bite with a view at this casual eatery on the northeast side of Lake Kampeska. Afterward, pay your respects and take a short stroll around the Watertown Veterans Memorial.
• Glacial Lakes Harley-Davidson: Abuzz with activity during rally time, this H-D dealership is where you'll find gear, service for your bike and kindred spirits on their way to Sturgis.

Clark, SD

• Potato Days (Aug. 2-4, 2024): You'll pass right through South Dakota's potato capital, Clark, which holds its annual Potato Days celebration the first weekend in August. Among the highlights: Cook-offs, decorating contests and mashed-potato wrestling!

Faulkton, SD

• Faulkton Elevator Mural: This photorealistic mural of two kids trading cowboy hats, rising 110 feet over the endless plain, is a sight to behold. 

Gettysburg, SD

• Bob's Resort: Take in gorgeous views of the Missouri River, eat some great food and maybe meet some new friends at this gathering place whose motto is, "If you can't have fun, stay home!"

Eagle Butte, SD

• Lakota Cultural Center: Located on the Cheyenne River Reservation, this center displays colorful art and murals by Native artists — a great way to explore the region's Indigenous heritage.

Faith, SD

• "Sue" Sculpture: The world's most complete T. rex skeleton — dubbed "Sue" — was discovered in this small town on the northern edge of the Black Hills. Now on display at Chicago's Field Museum, a scrap-metal sculpture by SoDak artist John Lopez pays homage to the discovery. 

From Faith, you'll have about an hour-and-a-half of riding before pulling into Sturgis. And that's when the fun really begins. Enjoy!