After a long week, there is nothing quite like hitting the road and heading out for a beautiful drive, which is made all-the-more exciting if said route is also historical. Agree? While South Dakota is chock-full of gorgeous drives, there is only one that is as fascinating as it is beautiful, which is the historic U.S. Route 14:
Running east to west (and vice versa), U.S. Route 14 - or simply Highway 14 - was established in 1926 and is considered to be one of the oldest highways in America.
Nick Nolte/Wikimedia Commons
Spanning some 1,398 miles (with a peak length of 1,429 miles), Highway 14’s eastern point lies near Chicago and runs west to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, making it cover the entire state of South Dakota.
Flickr/Taber Andrew Bain
Originally dubbed the “Black and Yellow Trail” (as it connected Minnesota with Yellowstone Park via the Black Hills), Highway 14 is a favorite to South Dakota natives and tourists alike, thanks to not only its varying landscape but also the many towns and attractions it passes along the way.
Flickr/Don Barrett
While one could easily complete the trek across SoDak in one day, we recommend spacing it out so you can stop and see its many sights, including De Smet…
Flickr/Loren Kerns Once the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder and family, De Smet is a charming small town that houses not only a quaint downtown area and 1,000+ residents but several “Little House” related tributes and attractions (like the pictured Ingalls Homestead).
…Pierre…
Flickr/Keith Ewing Do you think that if you have seen one capital city, you have seen them all? That couldn’t be further from the truth, which is demonstrated by the beautiful city of Pierre! While you’re there, be sure to check out the Capitol, unique shopping and dining, and outdoor recreation opportunities that you will not find anywhere else.
…Wall…
Flickr/Courtney “Coco” Mault If you drive through South Dakota and don’t stop by the famous Wall Drug, were you really even here?
…And Huron.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn Huron may be home to the kitschy World’s Largest Pheasant, but it also houses our must-visit state fair, exciting waterparks, trails, and much more!
What are your favorite stops along U.S. Route 14? Let us know in the comments!
Google/DeCarlos
Not ready to get out of your car just yet? No problem, thanks to These 10 Road Trips In South Dakota Will Lead You To Places You’ll Never Forget.
Nick Nolte/Wikimedia Commons
Flickr/Taber Andrew Bain
Flickr/Don Barrett
Flickr/Loren Kerns
Once the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder and family, De Smet is a charming small town that houses not only a quaint downtown area and 1,000+ residents but several “Little House” related tributes and attractions (like the pictured Ingalls Homestead).
Flickr/Keith Ewing
Do you think that if you have seen one capital city, you have seen them all? That couldn’t be further from the truth, which is demonstrated by the beautiful city of Pierre! While you’re there, be sure to check out the Capitol, unique shopping and dining, and outdoor recreation opportunities that you will not find anywhere else.
Flickr/Courtney “Coco” Mault
If you drive through South Dakota and don’t stop by the famous Wall Drug, were you really even here?
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Huron may be home to the kitschy World’s Largest Pheasant, but it also houses our must-visit state fair, exciting waterparks, trails, and much more!
Google/DeCarlos
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Address: US-14, Brookings, SD, USA
