Highway
Ranked third in the nation for highway performance and cost-effectiveness, South Dakota’s highway infrastructure is one of the very best in the country, with low congestion, quality maintenance and short commute times. The average commute time in the Rushmore Region is only 18 minutes.
The Rushmore Region is located along the following Interstates and highways:
- Interstate 90
- US Highway 16
- South Dakota Highways 44 & 79
- Highway 85 – Theodore Roosevelt Expressway (TRE)
The Rushmore Region Alliance is a member of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance. This advocacy group from a nine-state, 2,300+ mile economic development corridor between Texas, and Alberta, Canada collaborates with federal and state leaders, partners in Canada and Mexico, and industry partners, to deliver the infrastructure, food and fuel to secure the quality of life of America's cities. This provides the Rushmore Region with a built-in pipeline for exporting area goods.
Distance to Nearest Major Metros
| City | Distance Rapid City (Miles) |
| Chicago, IL | 897 |
| Denver, CO | 396 |
| Kansas City, MO | 713 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 568 |
| Omaha, NE | 510 |
Source: MapQuest
Airport
Rapid City Regional Airport, eight miles east of Rapid City, services the entire Rushmore Region.
The airport is served by the following carriers:
- American Airlines, with service to:
Dallas/Fort Worth, TX - Chicago, IL* - Charlotte, NC* - Delta Airlines, with service to:
Salt Lake City, UT - Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN - Atlanta, GA - United Airlines, with service to:
Denver, CO - Chicago, IL* - Houston, TX* - Los Angeles, CA* - Newark, NJ* - San Francisco, CA* - Allegiant Airlines, with weekly service to:
Las Vegas, NV - Mesa, AZ - * seasonal
Contact: 605.394.4195; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rail
The Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern (RCP&E) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroads operate lines in the Rushmore Region for the purpose of transporting intermodal freight and bulk cargo. RCP&E operates the former Canadian Pacific line. BNSF operates a line that runs through the southwest corner of the Black Hills.
The Belle Fourche Industrial and Rail Park https://bfdcsd.com/industrial/ specializes in intermodal freight and warehouse capabilities for the region. It is a 75-acre South Dakota Certified Ready Site accessible to RCP&E, which connects with three Class 1 rail partners: BNSF, Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific.