Sheridan to Dickinson Road Trip: Plains & Badlands Guide

Along the 450-mile stretch of I-90 and US-85, the road from Sheridan to Dickinson cuts through the Powder River Basin, a geological trove of dinosaur fossils and coal seams. This route crosses the 105th meridian west, marking the line where the High Plains begin their tilt toward the Missouri River.

Most drivers complete the journey in 6.5 to 7 hours without stops. But the region rewards those who linger: the Little Missouri River badlands, the ghost towns of the Black Hills gold rush, and the largest petrified tree in the world. For a deeper dive into finding hidden gems, how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities offers expert strategies.

I-90 from Sheridan to Rapid City is well-maintained, but the two-lane US-85 from I-90 to Dickinson has narrow shoulders, especially in North Dakota. Watch for loose gravel on curves and farm vehicles. In winter, snow and ice can reduce visibility; check conditions via WYDOT (Wyoming) and SDDOT apps. The route is mostly straight, which can induce highway hypnosis.

• Rest areas appear every 50-70 miles. Notable ones near Gillette (mile 133), Spearfish (mile 17), Wall (mile 110), and Pierre (mile 212).
• Designated truck parking: Love's in Gillette, Flying J in Rapid City, Petro in Wall.
• For fatigue, pull off at the 1880 Town (exit 170, just east of Kadoka) for a quick walk-through of a reconstructed frontier town.

Family-friendly stops include the Storybook Island in Rapid City, a free park with fairy-tale themed play structures. The Reptile Gardens (also Rapid City) has giant tortoises and alligators. In Dickinson, the Patterson Reservoir offers swimming and picnic areas. The Petrified Forest of Dakota (near Kadoka) has a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk through ancient stone logs.

• Kid-friendly restaurants: Perkins in Gillette, Pizza Ranch in Wall, Fuddruckers in Rapid City, and the Airport Cafe in Dickinson for pancakes.
• Traveling with pets: Most rest areas allow leashed pets. A few chain motels (Super 8, Motel 6) accept pets. The Badlands Wildlife Loop is off-limits to pets.

The primary artery is I-90 east from Sheridan to Gillette, then US-14/16 through the Black Hills, continuing on I-90 to Rapid City. After Rapid City, stay on I-90 until exit 131 for US-85 north toward Dickinson. The first 200 miles are interstate, the last 250 are divided highway with occasional passing lanes.

Fuel stops are concentrated every 20-30 miles along I-90, but beyond Rapid City, gaps widen. Fill up at Gillette (mile 143), Spearfish (mile 17), Sturgis (mile 30), and Wall (mile 93). From Wall to Philip, the next fuel is 40 miles. After Philip, the stretch to Pierre has stations every 30 miles. Entering North Dakota, fuel becomes scarce; top off in Pollock, SD, before crossing into North Dakota, where Linton and Strasburg have gas. Dickinson has several stations near the I-94 junction.

• Average fuel cost per gallon in Wyoming: $3.60; South Dakota: $3.50; North Dakota: $3.55 (as of current market).
• Diesel and premium fuels are available at major truck stops along I-90 (Flying J, Love's).
• EV charging stations are sparse; the only Level 2 chargers in the corridor are in Gillette (Wyoming) and Rapid City (South Dakota). Planning an EV trip requires careful range management.

Cell coverage is generally good on the interstates, but drops in the stretches between Philip and Pierre, and between Pollock and Linton. Download offline maps before leaving Sheridan or Rapid City. The route passes through two time zones: Mountain Time (Sheridan, Gillette) and Central Time (Rapid City onward). At the US-85 junction near Belle Fourche, you cross into Central Time – subtract one hour.

From Sheridan to Gillette, the landscape is open sagebrush steppe with distant mountains. The Bighorn Mountains fade in the rearview mirror. Just past Buffalo, the Clear Creek valley offers a strip of cottonwoods. The soil color shifts from gray to reddish as you approach the Wyoming–South Dakota border.

• Devils Tower National Monument: 33 miles from US-14 near Hulett. The tower rises 867 feet above the Belle Fourche River. It is the first national monument and a sacred site for the Lakota.
• Black Hills National Forest: The route passes through Spearfish Canyon (out of the way but worth it), with limestone cliffs and trout streams. Sundance Mountain is a prominent peak.
• Badlands National Park: Just off I-90 at exit 110 (south of Wall). The park features eroded buttes, spires, and fossil beds. Spend 2 hours driving the loop.
• Missouri River and the Lake Oahe region: Near Pierre, the river widens into a reservoir. The Oahe Dam is a major hydroelectric project.

Local commerce includes the historic Main Street of Deadwood, where casinos and saloons recall the gold rush era. Wall Drug in Wall, SD, is a massive emporium known for free ice water and kitschy souvenirs. In Dickinson, the Theodore Roosevelt Center and the Dakota Dinosaur Museum offer educational shopping.

• Pioneer Auto Museum in Murdo, SD (exit 163): vintage cars and Americana.
• The Wild Horse Sanctuary near Mammoth, SD: a herd of 600+ wild horses roam 11,000 acres.
• Al's Oasis in Oacoma, SD (just east of the Missouri River): a classic roadside diner with buffalo burgers and pie.