The Oldest Highway in America, U.S. 14, Passes Right Through South Dakota

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 our amazing little state is chock-full of gorgeous drives, there is only one that is as fascinating as it is beautiful, which is the historic U.S. Highway 14 in South Dakota. Come check it out and see for yourself - you're sure to fall in love with our state all over again.

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. 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.

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.

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. 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 also several "Little House" related tributes and attractions.

The town of Pierre is also a delight. 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.

Then there's the town of Wall. Yes, Wall. That's what they settled on. If you drive through South Dakota and don't stop by the famous Wall Drug, were you really even here? We think not. We don't make the rules.

And we can't forget to mention Huron! 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! It's a place worth visiting, and by following the 14, you're sure to find all these and more.

Do you have any favorite stops along U.S. Route 14? Not ready to get out of your car just yet? No problem, thanks to these road trips in South Dakota that are sure to thrill and intrigue!