RAPID CITY, S.D. – As the 85th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally begins, Rapid City officials are urging residents and visitors to exercise caution on area roads. The event, which draws hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to the Black Hills, is expected to see a higher-than-average volume of traffic this year due to the milestone anniversary.
The Sturgis Rally officially runs from Aug. 1-10, but motorcycle traffic on highways and streets in western South Dakota has been increasing for weeks. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has implemented temporary traffic signals and reduced speed limits in key areas to help manage the flow of vehicles.
Drivers should be particularly aware of the increased presence of motorcycles on major routes, including Interstate 90 and scenic Black Hills roads. The SDDOT has reduced the speed limit on Interstate 90 from 75 mph to 65 mph between Deadwood Avenue in Rapid City (Exit 55) and Lazelle Street in Sturgis (Exit 30). Officials remind motorists to be extra vigilant, look twice for motorcycles, and give riders adequate space.
Additionally, drivers should anticipate heavy congestion and delays, especially in and around the Rally’s central hub in Sturgis, as well as popular tourist destinations in the Black Hills, such as Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park. Patience and defensive driving are essential to ensuring a safe experience for everyone on the road.
