South Dakota Highway 38

South Dakota Highway 38 is a major east-west highway that spans across the state of South Dakota, connecting the cities of Rapid City and Sioux Falls. The highway passes through several notable cities, including Mitchell, Parkston, and Chamberlain, and intersects with several major highways, such as Interstate 90 and U.S. Route 16. The highway is maintained by the South Dakota Department of Transportation and is an important route for both local and through traffic, including travelers visiting popular attractions like Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the Badlands National Park.

● Route Description

The highway begins in the west at an intersection with U.S. Route 16 in Rapid City, near the Black Hills National Forest and the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. From there, it heads east, passing through the cities of Wall and Philip, before intersecting with U.S. Route 83 near the town of Murdo. The highway continues east, passing through the Missouri River valley and the city of Chamberlain, before reaching the city of Mitchell, home of the Mitchell Corn Palace and the Dakota Wesleyan University. The highway then passes through the cities of Parkston and Huron, before reaching its eastern terminus at an intersection with Interstate 90 in Sioux Falls, near the University of Sioux Falls and the Augustana University.

● History

The highway was established in 1976, as part of a larger effort to improve the state's highway system, which included the construction of new highways like Interstate 29 and the improvement of existing routes like U.S. Route 85. The highway was built to provide a more direct route between the cities of Rapid City and Sioux Falls, and to improve access to popular attractions like the Badlands National Park and the Custer State Park. The highway has undergone several improvements and upgrades over the years, including the construction of new interchanges and the widening of existing sections, such as the intersection with U.S. Route 281 near the town of Aberdeen.

● Major Intersections

The highway intersects with several major highways, including Interstate 90, U.S. Route 16, U.S. Route 83, and U.S. Route 281, near cities like Pierre, Aberdeen, and Brookings. The highway also passes through several notable cities, including Rapid City, Mitchell, and Sioux Falls, and provides access to popular attractions like the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Badlands National Park, and the Custer State Park. The highway is an important route for both local and through traffic, and is used by travelers visiting popular events like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and the South Dakota State Fair.

● Traffic Volume

The traffic volume on the highway varies depending on the location and time of year, with the highest volumes typically occurring during the summer months when tourists are visiting popular attractions like the Black Hills National Forest and the Missouri River valley. According to data from the South Dakota Department of Transportation, the average daily traffic volume on the highway ranges from around 1,000 vehicles per day in the western sections to over 10,000 vehicles per day in the eastern sections, near cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City. The highway is also used by a significant number of trucks and commercial vehicles, particularly in the eastern sections, which can impact traffic flow and safety, especially near intersections with highways like Interstate 29 and U.S. Route 85.

● Junction List

The highway has several notable junctions, including intersections with Interstate 90, U.S. Route 16, U.S. Route 83, and U.S. Route 281, near cities like Pierre, Aberdeen, and Brookings. The highway also passes through several notable cities, including Rapid City, Mitchell, and Sioux Falls, and provides access to popular attractions like the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Badlands National Park, and the Custer State Park. Some of the notable junctions on the highway include the intersection with U.S. Route 16 in Rapid City, the intersection with U.S. Route 83 near the town of Murdo, and the intersection with Interstate 90 in Sioux Falls, near the University of Sioux Falls and the Augustana University.

● Route History

The route of the highway has changed several times over the years, with several sections being realigned or rebuilt to improve safety and traffic flow, particularly near intersections with highways like Interstate 29 and U.S. Route 85. The highway was originally established in 1976, and has undergone several improvements and upgrades since then, including the construction of new interchanges and the widening of existing sections, such as the intersection with U.S. Route 281 near the town of Aberdeen. The highway has also been affected by several major events, including the Great Plains tornado outbreak of 1999 and the 2010 South Dakota floods, which caused significant damage to the highway and surrounding areas, particularly near the Missouri River valley. Category:State highways in South Dakota