Kansas City to South Dakota Road Trip: From Soccer Stars to American Icons

The spotlight will be on Kansas City, Missouri, in summer 2026, when the city hosts six international soccer matches. Keep the excitement going by heading north to experience some of America’s most iconic landmarks and scenic landscapes in South Dakota.

The drive to Sioux Falls — just over five hours — follows the Missouri River, a waterway that has long been central to Great Plains Indigenous cultures and carried Lewis and Clark on their expedition through the American West. From there, road-trip across the state to make discoveries of your own — from famed roadside attractions, otherworldly badlands and monuments carved into mountainsides to wide-open landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Route Distance: Approximately 750 miles/1,207 kilometers

Suggested Time: 7-8 days

Omaha, Nebraska: Gateway to the West

Head north from Kansas City on I-29 toward Omaha. Whether you stop for a long lunch or settle in for the night, Nebraska’s biggest city is a worthy detour before continuing on to South Dakota.

In the Old Market, brick warehouses are filled with shops, galleries and lunch spots like Jams American Grill and the beloved Zio’s Pizza plus gift stores such as Made in Omaha for handcrafted goods and souvenirs. Make time to walk through a tunnel while sharks swim overhead at Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, considered one of the best zoos in the country.

Set inside a restored train station, The Durham Museum gives you a sense of how Omaha has changed over the years, with exhibits that follow everything from early rail travel to life on the plains.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota: A City Shaped by Waterfalls

In less than three hours, you’ll reach Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city. The Big Sioux River runs through Falls Park, where a series of waterfalls spilling over pink Sioux quartzite cliffs gives the city its name. Paved paths wind past the rushing water, making it an ideal place to get your steps in.

At Falls Overlook Cafe, take in the cascades from above while devouring a smash burger. Downtown, SculptureWalk pulls you from one art piece to the next, from lifelike figures to abstract forms. Not far away, the Butterfly House & Aquarium surrounds you with free-flying butterflies and aquatic life moving just beyond the glass. 

If the soccer spirit is still running high, tap into Sioux Falls’ sports scene by cheering on the Sioux Falls Thunder FC (men's) or Sioux Falls City Football Club (women's). 

When you’re ready to get back on the road, head west for just over an hour to Mitchell.

Mitchell, South Dakota: Corny in the Right Ways

Mitchell leans into its agricultural roots in a way that’s hard to miss. The World’s Only Corn Palace is one of America’s most recognizable roadside stops, its exterior covered in detailed murals made from thousands of ears of corn, other grains and grasses, with designs that change each year. Free guided tours are offered in the summer, giving visitors a sense of how the palace comes together. Step inside to see the patterns up close, then head up to the balcony to wave to the Corn Cam and grab a crunchy Snickers popcorn ball.

Just a five-minute drive away, the Dakota Discovery Museum offers a deeper look at the region’s past, from Native history to early settlements in the Dakotas. Walk through exhibits that show what daily life was like on the Great Plains, then step outside into a village of preserved historical buildings and farm equipment. 

Next, continue west for around three hours toward the Badlands. Break up the drive in Chamberlain by soaking up more Indigenous history at stops like Dignity: Of Earth & Sky and the Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center.

Badlands National Park: An Otherworldly Landscape

As you near Badlands National Park, the scenery shifts into something that almost feels Mars-like, with layered rock formations spreading out across the terrain. Everything is quiet and still, with almost nothing to break up the horizon.

If you don’t have a full day to explore, the Window and Door trails have short boardwalks that bring you close to the craggy formations. Driving the Badlands Loop Road is a quicker way to see more of the park, with numerous stops along the way leading to viewpoints that make you feel small against the surroundings. Don’t miss one of the best vantage points at Big Badlands Overlook, especially at sunrise, when the shifting light brings out warm bands of color across the rocks. 

When you’re ready to move on, head northwest for about 38 miles (61 kilometers) to Wall.

Wall, South Dakota: Home of World-Famous Wall Drug Store

If you’re on Earth, you’ll see the billboards long before you reach Wall Drug Store. Once you arrive, you’ll understand why generations of travelers have pulled over. What began in 1931 as free ice water for weary travelers has grown into one of America's most beloved roadside attractions. Step inside and lose track of time wandering gift shops, trying on cowboy hats and browsing photos from the store’s fascinating past. Watch donuts being made through a window, follow the scent to the counter, and maybe see what Zoltar has to say about your future.

Just a couple blocks away, the National Grasslands Visitor Center offers a look at the natural and cultural history of America’s national grasslands through exhibits, films and ranger programs. 

Up next, it’s about 56 miles (90 kilometers) west to Rapid City.

Rapid City, South Dakota: Explore the Black Hills & Beyond

Rapid City earns its “City of Presidents” nickname with bronze statues of 45 U.S. presidents scattered throughout the walkable downtown. It’s a fitting gateway to the Black Hills, where some of South Dakota’s most iconic landmarks are just minutes away. Plan to spend a few days exploring the area.

A visit to Dinosaur Park is a good way to take in sweeping views of the city, with a short walkway leading you past giant dinosaur sculptures dating to the 1930s. For a taste of local creativity, Art Alley stretches between Sixth and Seventh streets, the home of murals, bold designs and spray-painted messages that cover every surface.

About 30 minutes to the southwest, Mount Rushmore National Memorial rises from the Black Hills in one of the most recognizable sights in the country. Time your visit right and you may catch something extra special: if your trip lines up with Kansas City’s June matches, you could be in the Black Hills right in time for Fourth of July festivities, when the memorial hosts a fireworks spectacular celebrating America’s 250th birthday.

From Mount Rushmore, drive to Custer State Park via Iron Mountain Road — a 17-mile stretch so scenic it has its own gift shop. An equally jaw-dropping drive (albeit for different reasons) is the park’s Wildlife Loop, where bison, burro and other critters graze right along the road. 

A visit to the Black Hills isn’t complete without time at Crazy Horse Memorial®, the monumental tribute to the great Lakota leader that, when finished, will be the largest mountain carving in the world. While you're there, the Native American Educational & Cultural Center offers a thoughtful look at Indigenous history and culture.

There’s much more to discover in the Black Hills. Descend into the third-longest cave in the world at Jewel Cave National Monument and explore the above- and below-ground wonders of Wind Cave National Park, where wildlife roams the surface and tours guide you through one of the world’s most complex cave systems. In nearby Deadwood, the Old West lives on through daily gunfight reenactments and tours. 

The road doesn't have to end there. Continue west toward Devils Tower and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, or venture south to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado before making your way back to Kansas City.