Time is ticking. Don’t fritter away precious vacation time waiting for buses and trains. Book a rental car and enjoy the freedom of having your own ride. Before you hit the wide open road, here are some key facts about South Dakota. South Dakota is a state of United States of America. You might like to start things in its capital city, Pierre. Roughly 14,000 people call this place home.

Boasting miles and miles of beautiful highways and tempting open roads, many travelers choose to turn their South Dakota vacations into self-drive tours. If you’re putting together a road trip to remember, you’ll need to know which destinations to add to your bucket list. Here are the most popular cities to explore in this incredible place:

• Sioux Falls (population of 171,500)
• Rapid City (population of 73,600)
• Aberdeen (population of 28,100)
• Watertown (population of 22,100)

Avoid paying an arm and a leg for a rental car by following our recommendations:

• Our convenient filter tool will soon become your new bestie. Check out the hottest deals from all of the top companies with just a few clicks;
• Set an email Price Drop Alert for your next vacation destination. You never know what great bargains will drive straight into your inbox;
• Check both airport and non-airport pickup locations to ensure you’re bagging the best possible bargain in town;
• If your pickup and drop-off dates are not set in stone, try getting a better deal by choosing different days of the week in your search;
• See if you can keep your pickup time and your drop-off time as similar as possible. If you bring back your rental car later than you picked it up, you may be charged an extra day;
• Keep more hard-earned dollars in your back pocket. You’ll score some of the best deals when you pay in advance for your rental car;
• Don’t let the deal you want slip through your grasp. Book as soon as you can and lock in your ideal set of wheels.

Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better, and that’s true in the case of your wheels. In South Dakota, compact cars are the most popular type of rental car for very good reasons. Terrific fuel economy, zippy handling, and easy parking are just the beginning! If you have plans to drive in Sioux Falls or Rapid City, go for something that’s compact and cool.Obviously, you can’t visit South Dakota without stopping at some of its natural treasures. Go road tripping around prairies and rolling hills from the comfort of something larger, like a mid-size SUV. Load up the gang and whatever supplies you need — these vehicles offer enough space for your luggage without compromising on legroom.

Sometimes it’s all about the journey, which makes choosing the right car important. If you’re planning an epic road trip around South Dakota, a roomy SUV could be the ideal solution. If you’re looking for the cheapest price possible and plan on staying mostly in the city, a versatile compact is a wise pick. All you have to do is decide what’s going to be the best fit, throw your bags in the back seat, and hit the road.

Climb behind the wheel and get ready to explore the best of South Dakota from the comfort and convenience of your own rental car. If you’ve never driven here before, you’ve no need to worry. We’ve gathered together a few handy tips to help you navigate your way around safely and with ease:

You’ll be cruising along the right-hand side of the road in South Dakota. Even though it may seem similar to home, it’s always wise to drive a bit more cautiously in places you’ve never been.

In South Dakota, the maximum speed limit is generally 80mph. (20mph is the minimum.) When approaching residential zones, bear in mind that unless stated otherwise, the limit is 20mph.

One of two things will happen. Your rental company may charge the fined amount to your credit card. This is the most common practice. Alternatively, it may give your contact information to the relevant local agency so the fine is issued directly to you.

They sure are. Although, there are some exceptions for certain vehicles operated by public transportation systems.

It’s not illegal to use a cell phone while driving, but we don’t recommend it. For safety’s sake, it’s best to wait until you’re safely parked before making that call.

While driving in South Dakota, it’s an offence to have a BAC (blood alcohol content) in excess of 0.08%. Thinking of having a wine or two while you’re out? Consider taking a taxi or using a ride-sharing service.

Traffic laws in South Dakota allow drivers at a red light to turn into the lane nearer to them, without waiting for a green signal. Before turning, the car must completely stop and the driver must make sure that the lane is clear before proceeding.