Badlands Panoramic Road Itinerary
The Badlands Panoramic Road is a 245km route which takes you through the towns of Wall, Badlands National Park, and Interior in the United States. It is best experienced during the summer months when the area is at its most vibrant, with stunning landscapes and wildlife to be seen along the way.
The route is suitable for all drivers and can be managed on a moderate budget. Although the road conditions are generally poor, the experience and memories you will take away from this road trip make it well worth the effort.
So if you're looking for an adventure, the Badlands Panoramic Road is an ideal choice. With its stunning scenery and unique wildlife, it is sure to provide you with an unforgettable experience.
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number of days
245 km
route length
fair
budget
family
good for
on the right
traffic direction
low
accident level
START
Rapid City
Distance 245 km
Driving time 3.1 h
Pace: fast
73.6 kWh
Airports
RAP
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Rapid City is a great starting point for the “Badlands Panoramic Road” road trip. Located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, the city is full of interesting sights and attractions. One of the most popular is the Journey Museum, which showcases the history of the area from its Native American roots to the present. Visitors can also explore the unique underground art installations at the Art Alley or take in the stunning views of the city from atop the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.
For travelers flying in to Rapid City, the closest international airport is the Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP). Car rentals are available at the airport, making it easy to start the road trip. From there, the “Badlands Panoramic Road” can take travelers through the stunning Badlands National Park, with its rugged terrain and sweeping views. The drive will also take visitors through the Black Hills National Forest, where they can explore its many lakes, trails and wildlife.
Rapid City is the perfect starting point for a road trip on the “Badlands Panoramic Road”. With its unique attractions, stunning views and convenient car rental options, travelers can explore the area in style.
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Rapid City
- Wall
Distance 87 km
Driving time 0.9 h
Pace: fast
26.2 kWh
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Itinerary
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Are you ready for an exciting road trip from Rapid City to Wall? This 54mi journey will take you less than an hour and you'll have the chance to explore some of the most interesting sites in the area.
Start your adventure in Rapid City, where you can visit the Journey Museum and learn about the history of the area. Then, take a drive to visit the Badlands National Park and explore the amazing landscape.
As you continue your journey, make sure to keep an eye out for historical sites and monuments along the way. When you arrive in Wall, take some time to visit the famous Wall Drug Store, a unique destination that has been serving travelers since 1931.
If you're looking for a place to stay, there are several great accommodations in Wall. Once you're settled in, be sure to check out the nearby Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. Here, you can learn more about the Cold War era and explore the underground launch control facility.
For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please consult the "Itinerary" for this stage of your road trip. Have a safe and enjoyable journey!
Wall - United States - North America - Scenic Drive - Wikimedia Commons
Wall - United States - North America - Scenic Drive - pixabay
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2
Wall
- Badlands N.P.
Distance 13 km
Driving time 0.2 h
Pace: fast
4.0 kWh
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Itinerary
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Embark on a road trip from Wall, United States to Badlands National Park! This 8 mi drive will take you less than an hour, and you'll get to explore some of the most interesting places along the way. Make sure you have enough fuel for the trip as there might not be many gas stations along the way.
Start off at the Wall Drug Store, an iconic tourist stop in South Dakota. Here you can find a wide selection of souvenirs, apparel, and western themed art. Then, head to the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site and learn about the Cold War and the Minuteman Missile system.
Continue your journey to Badlands National Park and be amazed by its unique geological formations. Marvel at the rugged buttes, pinnacles, and spires, and explore its diverse wildlife. Here you can also find the Fossil Exhibit Trail, where you can learn about the park's prehistoric creatures.
For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your road trip!
Badlands N.P. - United States - North America - Scenic Drive - www.goodfreephotos.com
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3
Badlands N.P.
- Interior
Distance 39 km
Driving time 0.7 h
Pace: modest
10.3 kWh
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Itinerary
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Get ready for an amazing road trip experience between Badlands National Park in the United States and Interior! This 25 mile drive will take you less than an hour, and you'll be surrounded by beautiful scenery the entire way. Be sure to fill up on gas before you start your journey, as there may not be any gas stations along the way. As you drive, be sure to take in all the sights, sounds, and smells of the Badlands National Park and Interior. You'll be able to see some of the most unique and beautiful landscapes in the United States. Keep your eyes open for wildlife and unique geological features. If you're looking for a place to stay or something to eat, the "Itinerary" section of this stage will provide you with all the information you need. So, buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable experience!
Interior - United States - North America - Scenic Drive - pxhere.com
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4
Interior
- Rapid City
Distance 105 km
Driving time 1.3 h
Pace: fast
31.5 kWh
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Itinerary
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Welcome to the amazing road trip stage between Interior and Rapid City! This stage of your journey will take you on a 65mi drive that will last no more than 2 hours. As you drive, make sure to keep an eye out for some of the historical sites that you will pass.
Once you arrive in Rapid City, you can explore the city's many attractions. Visit the Journey Museum to learn about the area's history, and take a stroll through Main Street Square to take in the sights and sounds of the city. If you're looking for outdoor activities, head to the Black Hills National Forest for some hiking and camping.
No matter what you choose to do, you're sure to enjoy your time in Rapid City. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, make sure to check out the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your road trip!
Rapid City
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Rapid City, United States, is the perfect end point for a road trip along the Badlands Panoramic Road. Located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, Rapid City offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors.
For those interested in exploring the local culture, the city offers several museums and art galleries, including the Journey Museum & Learning Center, the Dahl Arts Center, and the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the Black Hills National Forest, visit the Bear Country USA wildlife park, or take a scenic drive along the Needles Highway.
Families can visit the Reptile Gardens, where they can view a variety of exotic reptiles, or take a ride on the 1880 Train, a vintage steam locomotive. Additionally, Rapid City is home to several annual events, such as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and the Black Hills Powwow.
For those traveling by car, Rapid City is accessible via Interstate 90 and U.S. Route 16. For those traveling by air, the closest international airport is located in Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP). No matter how you choose to get there, Rapid City is the perfect destination for a road trip down the Badlands Panoramic Road.
Badlands Panoramic Road at a glance
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Start:
Rapid City
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End:
Rapid City
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Distance:
245 km
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Stay:
1 day
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Getting there:
Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP)
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When to drive:
May, June, July, August, September, October
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More info:
More info you can find in the "Itinerary" section at each stage.
We believe that the presented journey idea has become a great inspiration for your future travels.
It is a ready-made opportunity that can be easily expanded into a complete journey – possibilities are countless.
If travelling by car is your plan when moving around South Dakota, there are a number of essential road rules to follow and a bunch of things to remember to ensure safety.
These tips will surely become useful for holidayers who opt for car hire or hiring a camper.
When you’re on a tour around South Dakota, you should pay attention to the local traffic regulations.
Alcohol is best to be avoided at any expense when South Dakota is your holiday destination.
Tourists should remember that the amount of alcohol that the driver can consume is not that high and equals only 0.5‰.
In order to avoid a speeding fine, it is best to never exceed 40km/h, which is the maximum permissible speed inside the cities.
On the other hand, the maximum permissible speed around rural areas is 72km/h.
129km/h is the permissible speed on motorways.
In order to stay safe, we recommend driving with your headlights on at daytime and equipping your vehicle with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher.
The majority of holidaymakers wonder about the costs of the whole trip.
Depending on the budget option that you are interested in, the final cost of the whole road trip may vary.
A wide range of budget configurations is showed below.
If you go for the cheapest offer, you need to spend the maximum of 38 EUR on gasoline to cover the planned 5 stages.
You should take into consideration that economy accommodation options will cost roughly 77 EUR.
Holidayers who want to benefit from this option will spend approximately 72 EUR on food and restaurants.
Travellers will have to pay about 45 EUR if they choose the cheapest car rental option as well.
Thus, you can expect the travel expenses to be about 187 EUR without vehicle rental and 232 EUR with vehicle hire.
Holidayers who are looking for greater comfort and the standard option will pay about 50 EUR for the fuel needed to cover the itinerary.
Cost amounting to 121 EUR can be expected by all tourists who are looking for standard hotels.
Holidayers may expect that the standard option in terms of food and restaurants will cost roughly 108 EUR.
Travellers who want to cover the trip in a standard rental vehicle can expect a cost of around 54 EUR.
Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay approximately 333 EUR for the whole Badlands Panoramic Road, whereas those who are not interested in vehicle rental will spend roughly 279 EUR.
Holidayers who are into the highest level of convenience will be pleased with the premium option.
Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay roughly 495 EUR for the whole Badlands Panoramic Road, whereas those who are not interested in car hire will spend roughly 405 EUR.
Travellers who want to cover the road trip in a premium hire vehicle should expect a cost of around 90 EUR.
In the premium option of the tour, the fuel cost will be up to roughly 63 EUR.
Travellers who will go for top services in all aspects of their trip should expect to pay roughly 198 EUR for overnight stays and around 144 EUR for restaurants and food.
Badlands Panoramic Road is also an exciting opportunity for all camper enthusiasts.
If you choose this travel means, the costs will be up to around 225 EUR.
Holidaymakers will spend about 63 EUR on fuel allowing to cover all stages of the itinerary.
Travellers who are interested in camper hire should expect to pay around 55 EUR for overnight stays and more or less 72 EUR for expenses connected with food.
You can check all of the details connected with expenses in the Road Trip Costs section.
There are countless exciting road trips and scenic drives that are available on our website if you’d like to see other of our road trip opportunities.
The great variety of road trips will definitely meet the expectations of the most demanding holidayers.