South Dakota Toll Roads Complete Guide: No Tolls Statewide 2025
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South Dakota Toll Roads Complete Guide
System: No toll roads - completely toll-free statewide
Coverage: All interstates and highways toll-free
Currency: N/A - No tolls charged
Technology: Traditional free highway system
Operators: South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT)
Do I Need to Pay Tolls in South Dakota? 2025 Update
No, you do not need to pay any tolls to drive in South Dakota. South Dakota has zero toll roads, toll bridges, or toll tunnels anywhere in the state. All highways, interstates, and bridges are completely toll-free.
⚠️ SCAM ALERT: Despite having no toll roads, South Dakota residents receive fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid toll fees. Attorney General Marty Jackley warns these are scams - South Dakota has no toll roads, making all such messages fraudulent.
2025 Update: South Dakota continues to maintain its completely toll-free highway system, including all interstate highways (I-90, I-29). The state has no plans to introduce toll roads and maintains traditional highway funding methods.
South Dakota Highway System: Toll-Free Travel
South Dakota operates a comprehensive toll-free highway system with no tolls on any roads, bridges, or tunnels statewide. The state is part of the 12 US states that maintain completely toll-free transportation networks.
Major Toll-Free Interstate Highways (2025)
| Interstate | Route | Length in SD | Toll Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-90 | East-West across entire state | 412 miles | FREE |
| I-29 | North-South along eastern border | 252 miles | FREE |
| I-190 | Rapid City connector | 3 miles | FREE |
| I-229 | Sioux Falls bypass | 11 miles | FREE |
Major US Highways - All Toll-Free
South Dakota's comprehensive US Highway system includes:
- US-12: East-west corridor through northern South Dakota
- US-14: Central east-west route
- US-16: Southern corridor connecting Rapid City to Iowa
- US-18: Southern border route
- US-83: North-south central corridor
- US-212: Connects to Yellowstone National Park region
How to Pay for South Dakota Travel
Since South Dakota has no toll roads, your only travel costs will be fuel. However, when traveling to neighboring states, you may encounter limited toll facilities:
1. Fuel Costs Only in South Dakota:
- No electronic toll tags needed for South Dakota travel
- Calculate fuel costs only using gas price calculators
- All roads, bridges, and tunnels are free to use
- No toll transponders required anywhere in the state
2. When Traveling to Neighboring States:
- Minnesota: Limited tolls on 2 bridges only (International Falls, Fargo-Moorhead)
- Nebraska: Limited tolls on 2 bridges only (Bellevue, Plattsmouth)
- North Dakota, Iowa, Wyoming, Montana: Completely toll-free like South Dakota
To calculate trip costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across South Dakota and connecting states, use TollGuru South Dakota trip calculator
Recent Changes (2025)
Toll Scam Alert:
- March 2025: South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley warned residents about toll scam texts
- Scammers claim unpaid toll fees via text messages with payment links
- All such messages are fraudulent - South Dakota has NO toll roads
- Residents advised to report scam texts and never click suspicious links
Highway Infrastructure Updates:
- Continued improvements to I-90 and I-29 corridors remain toll-free
- South Dakota maintains commitment to traditional highway funding
- No pending legislation to introduce toll roads
- State continues to rely on federal funds, fuel taxes, and vehicle fees
Tourism and Economic Impact:
- Toll-free travel supports tourism to Mount Rushmore, Badlands, and Black Hills
- No toll barriers for agricultural and commercial transportation
- Competitive advantage for cross-country freight transportation
South Dakota Highway Information
Major Travel Corridors - All Toll-Free:
- I-90 Corridor: Major east-west transcontinental route spanning 412 miles across South Dakota
- I-29 Corridor: Primary north-south route connecting Canada to Kansas through eastern South Dakota
- Black Hills Region: All scenic routes including access to Mount Rushmore completely toll-free
- Badlands Access: All roads to Badlands National Park and surrounding areas toll-free
State Highway System:
- 83 State Highways: Complete toll-free network
- State trunk highways: All maintained toll-free
- Bridges and overpasses: No tolls on any structure statewide
- Local roads and county highways: Maintained by local governments, toll-free
Planning Your Journey
Cost Considerations:
- South Dakota travel costs: Fuel only - no tolls anywhere in the state
- Cross-country trips: Significant savings using toll-free I-90 corridor
- Commercial traffic: South Dakota offers toll-free alternatives to expensive toll states
- Tourism advantage: No toll barriers to major attractions
Travel Routes:
- East-West: I-90 provides toll-free transcontinental connection
- North-South: I-29 connects Canadian border to Kansas toll-free
- Tourist destinations: All major attractions accessible via toll-free routes
- Agricultural routes: All farm-to-market roads toll-free
Avoiding Toll Scams:
- Never respond to text messages claiming South Dakota toll debts
- South Dakota has NO toll roads - all such messages are fraudulent
- Do not click links or provide payment information
- Report scam texts to South Dakota Attorney General's office
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any toll roads in South Dakota?
No, South Dakota has zero toll roads, toll bridges, or toll tunnels anywhere in the state. All highways, interstates, bridges, and roads are completely toll-free.
What should I do if I receive a toll scam text?
Do not respond or click any links. Since South Dakota has no toll roads, any toll-related messages are fraudulent. Report the scam to the South Dakota Attorney General's office and delete the message.
Will South Dakota ever have toll roads?
Currently, South Dakota has no plans to introduce toll roads. The state continues to maintain its toll-free highway system using traditional funding methods including federal highway funds and fuel taxes.
Do I need any toll transponders for South Dakota travel?
No transponders are needed for South Dakota travel. However, if you're traveling to states with toll facilities (which is rare among South Dakota's neighbors), you may want to research their specific toll systems.
How does South Dakota fund its highways without tolls?
South Dakota funds highways through federal highway funds, state fuel taxes, vehicle registration fees, and general revenue. This traditional funding model has successfully maintained the state's extensive toll-free highway network.
Can I drive across the entire US using South Dakota's toll-free routes?
Yes, I-90 through South Dakota is a major toll-free transcontinental route. Combined with other toll-free states in the region, you can cross much of the northern US without paying tolls, though some eastern states do have toll facilities.
South Dakota vs. Neighboring States
| State | System Type | Typical Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | No tolls | $0.00 | Entire state toll-free |
| North Dakota | No tolls | $0.00 | Entire state toll-free |
| Minnesota | Limited tolls | $2.00-3.00 | 2 bridges only |
| Iowa | No tolls | $0.00 | Entire state toll-free |
| Nebraska | Limited tolls | $1.00-2.00 | 2 bridges only |
| Wyoming | No tolls | $0.00 | Entire state toll-free |
| Montana | No tolls | $0.00 | Entire state toll-free |
Useful Links & Resources
South Dakota Transportation Information:
- South Dakota Department of Transportation: (605) 773-3265
- SD511: Real-time traffic and road conditions
- Road Conditions: 511 or 1-866-697-3511
- South Dakota Travel Information: 1-800-S-DAKOTA
Scam Reporting:
- South Dakota Attorney General's Office: (605) 773-3215
- Federal Trade Commission: Report fraud at ftc.gov/complaint
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov
US Toll Road Information:
- US Toll Guide - Complete guide to toll roads in other US states
- TollGuru Calculator: Plan trips to states with toll facilities
- Regional Travel Planning: Toll-free route options across the northern US
Tourism Resources:
- Mount Rushmore Access: All routes toll-free
- Badlands National Park: All access roads toll-free
- Black Hills Tourism: Complete toll-free access
- Sturgis Motorcycle Rally: All routes toll-free
