La Crosse to Custer: Scenic Drive Guide

The drive from La Crosse, WI to Custer, SD covers roughly 700 miles, crossing the Mississippi River and the Minnesota River valleys before ascending into the Great Plains. This route passes through three states and showcases a dramatic shift from bluff country to prairie and finally to the Black Hills.

One notable quirk: near the Minnesota-South Dakota border, the speed limit on Interstate 90 increases to 80 mph, the highest in the region. This stretch also crosses the continental divide of the Americas, though it's not marked prominently.

Driving this route is generally safe, but watch for deer and other wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk. In winter, snow and ice can make conditions hazardous; check weather forecasts and carry an emergency kit.

For families, the route is rich with kid-friendly stops: the Children's Museum of South Dakota in Brookings, the Falls Park in Sioux Falls, and the Badlands National Park with its fossil exhibits. Playgrounds are common at rest areas.

To manage fatigue, plan to stop every 2 hours. Good rest areas include those near Albert Lea, MN, and Mitchell, SD, which offer picnic tables and dog runs. Consider spending a night in Sioux Falls to break the drive into two legs.

For planning your best stops, learn how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The Mississippi River bluffs give way to rolling farmland, then the vast prairies of eastern South Dakota. As you approach the Badlands, the terrain becomes otherworldly, with eroded rock formations. Custer State Park, a short detour from I-90, is home to a herd of 1,300 bison and the iconic Needles Highway.

Local commerce along the route includes farm stands in Minnesota selling sweet corn and honey, and in South Dakota, you'll find roadside attractions like the Corn Palace in Mitchell and Wall Drug. The town of Custer, the oldest in the Black Hills, offers a walkable main street with art galleries and cafes.

The fastest route is I-90 west from La Crosse through Rochester, MN, then Sioux Falls, SD, and on to Custer. This is also the route with the most services, including fuel stations, restaurants, and hotels.

• Fuel: Average gas prices along I-90 in South Dakota are often 10-15 cents lower than in Wisconsin, so plan to fill up after crossing into SD.
• Tolls: None on this route.
• Road quality: I-90 is well-maintained, with clean rest areas every 50-60 miles.