Transportation

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South Dakota’s sparse population results in a transportation system reliant primarily upon roads and highways. The state’s Midwestern location places it within access of two major Interstate highways: I-90, running east to west, with the I-190 spur into Rapid City, and I-29, running north to south, with the I-229 loop around Sioux Falls. Major U.S. highways include US 12, US 14, US 16, US 18, and US 212 stretching east to west, and routes US 81, US 83, US 85, and US 281 running north to south.

Major airports within South Dakota include Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), with over 460,000 passengers served; Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD); Pierre Regional Airport (PIR), and Aberdeen Regional Airport.

Nine railroad companies provide freight service to the Mount Rushmore State, with Class I, regional, and short-line carriers among them. These companies are Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Company; Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corporation; Union Pacific Railroad; D & I Railroad Company; Canadian Pacific (CP); Sisseton Milbank Railroad (SMRR); Ellis & Eastern; Dakota, Missouri Valley, & Western Railroad, Inc. (DMVW); Dakota Southern Railway; and Sunflour Railroad. No passenger rail service exists in South Dakota.

South Dakota’s largest cities offer limited public transit options for commuters. Rapid City offers the Rapid Transit System, which includes the City View Trolley and the RapidRide Fixed Route System, with four routes. In Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls Transit offers bus, trolley, and paratransit service. Smaller city transit operators include the Aberdeen Ride Line, Mitchell’s Palace Transit, and the Inter-Lakes Community Public Transportation system.

Intercity travel in the Mount Rushmore State is provided by Greyhound Lines and Jefferson Lines.

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