8 Days: Broken Arrow to Sherman via the Black Hills

This 8-day road trip carries travelers from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma north through the Kansas prairie and Nebraska's Pine Ridge country before diving into South Dakota's Badlands and the Black Hills. Along the way, the route passes iconic stops including Monument Rocks, Scotts Bluff National Monument, Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, the Needles Highway, Crazy Horse Memorial, Spearfish Canyon, Devils Tower in Wyoming, and the historic gold rush town of Deadwood. The journey wraps up with a heritage loop through Sturgis and Rapid City before the long drive home to Sherman, SD, with stops at the Mitchell Corn Palace and Sioux Falls. Easy driving and sightseeing throughout make this a relaxed, scenic itinerary suited to a comfortable 4x4 SUV.

Built stop by stop, not written as an article.

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Days
8
Stops
46
Driving
1,327 mi
Overnights
8
Level
easy

Published by Xploreum · August 2026

ARE YOU XPLORER MATERIAL?

The average Xplorer every year...

  • Sleeps outside 24 nights

  • Explores 1,800 miles

  • Covers 500 miles on foot, skis, bikes, boats and trails

  • Experiences a 120°F temperature difference

  • Discovers 18 new places

  • Does something for the first time 18 times

  • Sees the Milky Way 11 nights

  • Takes 6 people on their first adventure

  • Spends 240 hours away from notifications

  • Creates stories remembered for decades

The shape of it

How the route moves

8 days and 46 stops, covering 1,327 mi of driving. Every distance comes from the route records behind this Xpedition.

Route overview map for 8 Days: Broken Arrow to Sherman via the Black Hills: 46 stops from Broken Arrow, OK to Sherman, SD.

Route overview, not navigation

Start: Broken Arrow, OKEnd: Sherman, SD46 numbered stops, in itinerary order© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

Stops are shown at place level. Each leg is coloured by the travel mode we infer from the stops at either end, then drawn along that network: blue for driving. The mode is our inference, not a confirmed record of how the route was travelled. A grey dashed leg is one we could not route, shown as a straight overview instead. This is an overview of the route, not a turn-by-turn track, and it is not suitable for navigation.

The itinerary

Day by day

All 46 stops, free to read. Every day is editable once the route is yours.

Historic downtown Tulsa, OK

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

Day 1

Into the Kansas Prairie

  • 392 mi drive
  • Night: Colby, KS area hotel accommodation

The trip begins in the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area, heading north on US-75 and US-166 into Kansas. A stop in Wichita, Kansas' largest city, offers coffee and a stretch in the historic Old Town district. Continuing northwest, the route reaches Monument Rocks, striking 70-foot chalk formations rising from the prairie and estimated to be more than 80 million years old. The day wraps up in Colby, Kansas, a small plains town for fuel, dinner, and an overnight stay at a comfortable hotel with breakfast included.

  1. Broken Arrow, OKDrive

    Departure from Broken Arrow area. Head north on US-75 and US-166 toward Kansas.

  2. +137 mi along the route

    Wichita, KSDrive

    Stop in Kansas' largest city for coffee and a stretch. Historic Old Town district.

  3. +199 mi along the route

    Monument RocksViewpoint

    Stunning 70-foot chalk formations rising from the prairie, over 80 million years old.

  4. +55.9 mi along the route

    Colby, KSDrive

    Small Kansas plains town, fuel and dinner stop.

  5. +0.6 mi along the route

    Hotel in Colby, KSlodge

    Clean, comfortable hotel accommodation with breakfast included.

Sweeping prairie views while driving across western South Dakota toward the Black Hills.

Photo by Ryan Grewell on Unsplash

Day 2

The Oregon Trail North

  • 190 mi drive
  • Night: Chadron, NE area hotel accommodation

Departing Colby, the route follows I-70 and US-385 northwest into Nebraska. The highlight is Scotts Bluff National Monument, an 800-foot bluff that once guided Oregon Trail pioneers, with a summit drive offering sweeping prairie views. The road continues to Chadron State Park, Nebraska's oldest state park, tucked into the Pine Ridge with scenic drives through ponderosa pine forest. The day ends in Chadron, a historic cattle town at the edge of the Pine Ridge, with dinner and an overnight hotel stay including free breakfast.

  1. Colby, KSlodge

    Morning departure from Colby. Head northwest on I-70 to US-385.

  2. +180 mi along the route

    Scotts Bluff National MonumentViewpoint

    Towering 800-foot bluff that guided Oregon Trail pioneers. Summit drive offers panoramic prairie views.

  3. +87 mi along the route

    Chadron State ParkViewpoint

    Nebraska's oldest state park, nestled in the Pine Ridge. Scenic drives through ponderosa pine forest.

  4. +9.3 mi along the route

    Chadron, NEDrive

    Historic cattle town at the edge of the Pine Ridge. Dinner stop.

  5. +0.6 mi along the route

    Hotel in Chadron, NElodge

    Comfortable hotel with free breakfast.

Sunrise over the dramatic rock formations of Badlands National Park on Day 3 of the journey.

Photo by Dave Hoefler on Unsplash

Day 3

Into the Badlands

  • 109 mi drive
  • Night: Badlands area hotel accommodation

Leaving Chadron, the drive heads east on US-20 and north on SD-240 into the heart of the Badlands. Entering Badlands National Park through the northeast entrance, travelers cover the 30-mile Badlands Loop Road, stopping at overlooks, fossil exhibits, and dramatic layered rock formations. A stop at Wall Drug Store brings free ice water, a giant jackalope, and an Old West shopping arcade. The route then visits the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, a preserved Cold War-era missile silo and launch control facility. The night is spent in Interior, South Dakota, at a comfortable hotel with an on-site restaurant.

  1. Chadron, NElodge

    Morning departure from Chadron. Head east on US-20 then north on SD-240 into the Badlands.

  2. +80.8 mi along the route

    Badlands National Park - Northeast EntranceDrive

    Enter Badlands National Park via the northeast entrance. 7-day vehicle pass.

  3. Badlands Loop Road Scenic DriveDrive

    Drive the 30-mile Badlands Loop Road with stops at overlooks, fossil exhibits, and layered rock formations.

  4. +12.4 mi along the route

    Wall Drug Storeactivity

    Legendary South Dakota roadside attraction with free ice water, giant jackalope, and Old West shopping arcade.

  5. +21.7 mi along the route

    Minuteman Missile National Historic SiteViewpoint

    Cold War-era missile silo and launch control facility, now a National Historic Site.

  6. +15.5 mi along the route

    Hotel in Interior, SDlodge

    Comfortable hotel in the Badlands area with restaurant.

Granite spires and pine forests in Custer State Park along the scenic Needles Highway.

Photo by Jack Hishmeh on Unsplash

Day 4

Rushmore and the Black Hills

  • 127 mi drive
  • Night: Hill City, SD area hotel accommodation

From Interior, SD-44 leads west into the Black Hills. The centerpiece of the day is Mount Rushmore National Memorial, with its 60-foot carved presidential faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. From there, the Wildlife Loop Road through Custer State Park's 71,000 acres offers chances to spot bison, pronghorn, and burros among rolling prairie and granite spires. The Needles Highway follows, a 14-mile scenic byway winding through towering granite spires and narrow rock tunnels. The day concludes in Hill City, a charming mountain town with galleries, shops, and cafes, with an overnight stay at a retro roadside hotel.

  1. Interior, SDlodge

    Morning departure from Interior. Head west on SD-44 into the Black Hills.

  2. +90.1 mi along the route

    Mount Rushmore National MemorialViewpoint

    Iconic 60-foot carved presidential faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln in granite.

  3. +11.2 mi along the route

    Custer State ParkDrive

    Scenic Wildlife Loop Road through 71,000 acres of rolling prairie and granite spires. Bison, pronghorn, burros.

  4. +15.5 mi along the route

    Needles HighwayDrive

    Stunning 14-mile scenic byway through towering granite spires and narrow tunnels carved into rock.

  5. +9.3 mi along the route

    Hill CityDrive

    Charming mountain town with galleries, shops, and cafes. Dinner stop.

  6. +0.6 mi along the route

    Hotel in Hill City, SDlodge

    Retro roadside hotel with comfortable rooms.

Evening view of Mount Rushmore National Memorial during a Black Hills road trip.

Photo by Heath Hughes on Unsplash

Day 5

Monuments and the Northern Hills

  • 79.5 mi drive
  • Night: Deadwood, SD area hotel accommodation

Heading south from Hill City on US-385 and US-16, the route arrives at the Crazy Horse Memorial, a massive mountain carving in progress honoring the Lakota warrior, with a visitor complex featuring a museum and cultural exhibits. Iron Mountain Road follows, a 17-mile scenic byway known for pigtail bridges and tunnels that frame Mount Rushmore. The drive then continues to the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, a 20-mile route past limestone cliffs and waterfalls along Spearfish Creek. The day ends in Historic Downtown Deadwood, a famous Wild West gold rush town with casinos, saloons, and Mount Moriah Cemetery, with lodging at a modern hotel and casino in the heart of town.

  1. Hill City, SDlodge

    Morning departure from Hill City. Head south on US-385 and US-16 toward Crazy Horse.

  2. +8.7 mi along the route

    Crazy Horse MemorialViewpoint

    Massive mountain carving in progress honoring Lakota warrior Crazy Horse. Visitor complex with museum and cultural exhibits.

  3. +12.4 mi along the route

    Iron Mountain RoadDrive

    17-mile scenic byway with pigtail bridges, tunnels framing Mt. Rushmore, and stunning Black Hills vistas.

  4. +46.6 mi along the route

    Spearfish Canyon Scenic BywayDrive

    Gorgeous 20-mile drive through limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and autumn color along Spearfish Creek.

  5. +11.2 mi along the route

    Historic Downtown Deadwoodactivity

    Famous Wild West gold rush town with casinos, historic saloons, and Mount Moriah Cemetery.

  6. +0.6 mi along the route

    Hotel in Deadwood, SDlodge

    Modern hotel and casino in the heart of historic Deadwood with restaurants and entertainment.

Scenic drive through Custer State Park surrounded by forests and autumn colors.

Photo by aarsh mathur on Unsplash

Day 6

Devils Tower and Wyoming Wilds

  • 165 mi drive
  • Night: Spearfish, SD area hotel accommodation

From Deadwood, US-85 leads north into Wyoming. A quick photo and coffee stop at Belle Fourche marks the Center of the Nation monument, the geographic center of the United States. The route continues to Devils Tower National Monument, America's first national monument, an 867-foot volcanic rock formation sacred to Native tribes. Lunch is taken in Hulett, a tiny Wyoming ranching town with Old West charm. The day finishes in Spearfish, a gateway town to the northern Black Hills, with a comfortable hotel stay including breakfast.

  1. Deadwood, SDlodge

    Morning departure from Deadwood. Head north on US-85 into Wyoming toward Devils Tower.

  2. +34.2 mi along the route

    Belle FourcheDrive

    Center of the Nation monument marking the geographic center of the United States. Quick photo stop and coffee.

  3. +59 mi along the route

    Devils Tower National MonumentViewpoint

    America's first national monument, a stunning 867-foot volcanic rock formation sacred to Native tribes.

  4. +11.2 mi along the route

    HulettDrive

    Tiny Wyoming ranching town with Old West charm. Lunch stop.

  5. +59 mi along the route

    SpearfishDrive

    Gateway to the northern Black Hills with downtown shops and dining.

  6. +1.9 mi along the route

    Hotel in Spearfish, SDlodge

    Comfortable hotel with breakfast included and easy highway access.

Historic downtown Deadwood, South Dakota, a classic stop on a Black Hills road trip.

Photo by Travis Brown on Unsplash

Day 7

Black Hills Heritage Loop

  • 80.8 mi drive
  • Night: Rapid City, SD area hotel accommodation

Leaving Spearfish on I-90, the route heads toward Sturgis, home to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum, celebrating motorcycle history and the world's largest motorcycle rally. Next is the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, a former gold mine turned underground science laboratory with surface tours and exhibits. A short nature trail leads to Roughlock Falls, a scenic waterfall in Spearfish Canyon reached via an easy 0.9-mile walk. The day ends in Downtown Rapid City, where Art Alley and the City of Presidents statues line the streets, with an overnight stay at a historic landmark hotel downtown.

  1. Spearfish, SDlodge

    Morning departure from Spearfish. Head east on I-90 toward Sturgis and Lead.

  2. +24.9 mi along the route

    Sturgis Motorcycle Museumactivity

    Museum dedicated to motorcycle history and the legendary Sturgis Rally, the world's largest motorcycle event.

  3. +21.7 mi along the route

    Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor CenterViewpoint

    Former gold mine now a deep underground science laboratory. Surface tours and exhibits on mining history and physics research.

  4. +13.7 mi along the route

    Roughlock FallsViewpoint

    Beautiful waterfall in Spearfish Canyon accessible via easy 0.9-mile nature trail through forest.

  5. +52.8 mi along the route

    Rapid City DowntownDrive

    Downtown Rapid City with Art Alley, City of Presidents statues on street corners, and dining.

  6. +3.1 mi along the route

    Rapid City DowntownDrive

    Downtown Rapid City with Art Alley, City of Presidents statues on street corners, and dining.

  7. Hotel in Rapid City, SDlodge

    Historic landmark hotel in the heart of downtown Rapid City with regional architecture.

Wildlife in Custer State Park on the final day of an 8-day Black Hills and Badlands adventure.

Photo by Jay Chapman on Unsplash

Day 8

The Long Road Home

  • 183 mi drive
  • Night: Sherman, SD

The final day departs Rapid City heading east on I-90. A stop at the Badlands National Park east entrance offers one last look at the formations from a different angle. The route continues to Mitchell, home of the world-famous Corn Palace, decorated with murals made entirely from corn and grain and redesigned annually. A stop in Sioux Falls, South Dakota's largest city, allows time for coffee and a stretch near Falls Park's scenic waterfalls and historic ruins. The journey concludes with arrival in Sherman, SD, marking the end of the trip.

  1. Rapid City, SDlodge

    Morning departure from Rapid City. Head east on I-90 toward Sherman.

  2. +90.1 mi along the route

    Badlands National Park East EntranceViewpoint

    Re-enter Badlands from the east for a different perspective. Final photo stop in the formations.

  3. +137 mi along the route

    Mitchell Corn Palaceactivity

    World-famous building decorated with murals made entirely from corn and grain, redesigned annually.

  4. +71.5 mi along the route

    Sioux FallsDrive

    South Dakota's largest city. Falls Park has scenic waterfalls and historic ruins. Coffee and stretch stop.

  5. +21.7 mi along the route

    Sherman, SDDrive

    Arrival in Sherman, SD. Trip complete.

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Before you go

What this route assumes

Only the fields this route actually holds data for.

Where you sleep

Overnight areas in route order: Colby, KS area hotel accommodation, Chadron, NE area hotel accommodation, Badlands area hotel accommodation, Hill City, SD area hotel accommodation, Deadwood, SD area hotel accommodation, Spearfish, SD area hotel accommodation, Rapid City, SD area hotel accommodation, Sherman, SD. Xavier pairs each with live lodging options once the route is yours.

Vehicle

Built as a 4x4 suv route, scenic driving and sightseeing. Xavier adapts it to what you actually drive.

Level

Paced for easy travelers. Days can be split or merged to change the load.

How this Xpedition was built

Assembled from structured route and waypoint records, not written as an article, and reviewed before publication. Confirm conditions, closures, and permits before you travel.

  • Route structured
  • Distances calculated
  • Reviewed before publication
  • Published August 2026

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