Minneapolis to Sioux Falls drive: Distance, time & best stops
The distance from Minneapolis to Sioux Falls by car is 238 miles, with a 3h58m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Minneapolis to Sioux Falls drive is 3h58m.
Planning a Minneapolis to Sioux Falls road trip itinerary
The Minneapolis to Sioux Falls connects the biggest cities in Minnesota and South Dakota.
Top attractions in the twin cities of Minneapolis-St Paul include the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, the Basilica of St Mary and Minnehaha Falls.
Minneapolis has a big craft brewing scene, and one of the best ways to explore is on a craft breweries tour. Alternatively, take a walking tour through the city’s vast Skyway network of enclosed bridges and food tours.
Other MSP experiences include St Paul’s historic gangster-era caves, Twin Cities ghost tours and St Paul walking tours.
The main highlight of Sioux Falls is Falls Park, where the Big Sioux River drops over a series of rock ledges. The best views come from the 50ft observation tower.
Aside from the waterfalls, you can also visit the Butterfly House and Aquarium, the Cathedral of St Joseph and the Great Plains Zoo. The Sculpture Walk through the downtown area is also worth tackling – it links together a series of striking sculptures.
Other Sioux Falls activities include downtown food tours and smartphone-based scavenger hunts.
Minneapolis to Sioux Falls distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Minneapolis to Sioux Falls is 238 miles. That makes for a driving time of around three hours and 58 minutes. The quickest route goes along the US-169, MN-60 and I-90.
The best stops to add to a Minneapolis to Sioux Falls road trip itinerary are the Treaty Site History Center, Mankato MN and Palisades State Park.
Minneapolis to Sioux Falls drive: Treaty Site History Center
The Treaty Site History Center in St Peter MN is theoretically your standard local history, looking at the stories of the Dakota people, settlers, explorers and traders. But you can also explore the remains of former frontier post Fort Ridgely.
There’s also a strong focus on the 1851 Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, in which the Dakota people ceded much of south-eastern Minnesota to the United States.
Best stops between Minneapolis and Sioux Falls: Mankato MN
There are a few parks and craft breweries in Mankato MN, but the main reason to visit is Minneopa Falls. Inside Minneopa State Park, this waterfall is 25 foot wide and 39 foot high in the lower section. It’s impressively powerful, rather than a token trickle.
The park also has a bison herd, which was reintroduced for conservation purposes.
Minneapolis to Sioux Falls road trip attractions: Palisades State Park
Camping, rock climbing, hiking and picnics are all possible in Palisades State Park. But this South Dakota state park is largely about the bizarre rock formations. A series of quartzite formations, some small shelves above the water and others 50ft cliffs, line Split Rock Creek. The strangely chunky rock stacks have been around for over a billion years.
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