How to Drive Through South Dakota

Driving across a state that is more than 400 miles wide can become monotonous. But you can make driving through South Dakota more enjoyable when you know what is out there. Keeping yourself entertained is important when you want to make any car trip go faster, and South Dakota has some entertainment in store for you.

Instructions

1. Research the stops you want to make. That way, you will have something to do in the car and you will be well-informed on your visit. Many attractions have a story, so finding out what it is before hand can make the visit more interesting.

2. Try the Northern Route to the Black Hills if you want to see wildlife and historical settlements. U.S. Highway 12 is a major part of the route if you're coming from the east. It features the Sitting Bull monument in Mobridge, dedicated to the famous Indian chief; Storybook Land in Aberdeen, where fairy tales and characters from "The Wizard of Oz" run the show and the International Vinegar Museum in Roslyn, only a few miles out of the way.

3. Find regional and offbeat attractions on your route. Among the state's more off-beat attractions are a petrified wood park in Lemmon, a giant prairie dog in Interior and an Outhouse Museum in Gregory. South Dakota is also home to Terry Redlin, one of America's most-collected painters. His work can be seen at the Redlin Art Center in Watertown.

4. Take a lunch break at locally owned restaurants and avoid franchises. Some say the restaurant in Faith has the best food you can get. The small-town atmosphere is a place for travelers to enjoy home cooking on the road.

5. Drive through the Bandlands, off of Interstate 90. If you have extra time when you're in the area, consider driving the Highway 240 Loop Road, or stopping off for a hike. You can also view the sunset from any of the campgrounds or overlooks in the park.

6. Play car games, a road trip staple. Take the South Dakota twist on the road sign game by counting signs for Wall Drug, or think up new and creative places to put the billboards. You can also play the South Dakota license plate game. The first two digits represent a county, and until recently, they were organized by population. Numbers 1 to 3 are fairly easy, but look at the map and figure out which county is No. 43.

Resources

• Find what to do when traveling in South Dakota at Travel South Dakota.
• Visit the National Park Service's Badlands visitor's guide.
• The official Mitchell Corn Palace website provides an overview of the attraction.
• Find information about the Terry Redlin Art Center, as well as an online gallery, at the official website.