SD & ND travel just after Sturgis rally

I wouldn't worry about it. Taking I80 will put you amongst the truckers; I90 amongst the bikers. I'd prefer the bikers. And really, even at the height of the rally, the bikes are only a "problem" within about 50 miles of Sturgis -- those out touring after arrival. I've always enjoyed seeing the bikes when traveling on I90 across SD. 99% of them seem to be careful and considerate travelers. That's better than auto travelers or truckers, btw. :)

Harleys are not cheap bikes, and most of the bikers I've talked with in Sturgis are pretty fine people -- middle income or higher and just as friendly as RVers. They just like to dress the part for the Rally.

I ran into a friend of mine at the gas station several years ago during Rally week. He was the local funeral director that I'd known for years -- president of our Rotary Club, active in our church. I didn't recognize him -- nor his wife, who was one of the prettiest and best dressed women in town. They were headed out to Sturgis on his Harley. He had grown a beard for the occasion; she was his biker chick; both were dressed in leathers. :B Simply amazing! But typical of the Sturgis crowd.

My daughter and son-in-law also attended for several years (until they sold their bikes a couple years ago). He's an architect, she's a pharmacist, both in management jobs. The have three beautiful and gifted young daughters and a lovely upscale home in Tucson... but for Sturgis they looked like... bikers. One year we were going to meet them in Sturgis and take in a show. I didn't even recognize my own daughter when she came running up to me!

While at Sturgis be sure to visit Bear Butte and the Old Fort Meade Museum. There is a lot of history in the area.

I got the estimate of 1 million people from my brother, who lives in Sturgis. I'm not sure where he got the estimate. It isn't surprising that fewer people are attending. Hotel room prices increase to $400 to $600 per night in that area during the Rally. Several members of our Harley group are going to Sturgis this year and they are going up early and leaving before the Rally begins due to the hotel prices.

Seems like the majority of the rally people move out on the Friday or Saturday at the end of the rally. We've been there several times and by Sunday, the traffic is relatively normal.

Sure you could see a few small groups headed home, but not the swarms you thinking about.

Sturgis attendance has been dropping for years, after briefly peaking at 600,000 its been below 400,000 the last few years. For this anniversary rally they'll be lucky and happy to get back up to 500,000. The avg age of the Sturgis attendees is around 50, over half attendees are couples and there are as many doctors, lawyers, business owners and professionals in the crowds as MC club members.

This year is the 75th anniversary of the Sturgis Rally and they are expecting 1 million bikers during that week. You probably will see bikes, but not everyone will stay for the entire rally.

Are you worried about the bikers? Most of us are just working stiffs who like to get out on the road on our bikes. There are a few gangs that attend the rally, but the majority of us are just normal people.

No need to change your plans, You may see some cyclists when you cross over I-90 but should be no impact on your route. Although Sturgis is huge, the folks come from all over via different routes, and many arrive early and stay long after the official end. So the crowds on the highways are dispersed over several weeks, coming and going. Only the immediate area around the Black Hills becomes clogged with traffic.

Hi again,
I'm the OP of this subject.
Thanks to all of you for your replies.
I appreciate it.
Glenn

Just take I-80E to I-35N to Duluth. You'll cross I-90 about the time you reach Minnesota, but Sturgis is 500 miles west of there. There's no reason to drive on I-90 at all unless you want to.