85th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Draws Record-Setting Traffic
{KXLG - Sturgis, SD} The 85th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which took place from August 1-10, 2025, saw a significant increase in vehicle traffic, with a total of 537,459 vehicles entering Sturgis over the 10 days. This represents an 11.3% increase compared to the previous five-year average of 482,987 vehicles.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) released daily traffic counts from nine locations, showing consistent growth each day compared to the average. The busiest day of the rally was Monday, August 4, when 68,906 vehicles entered Sturgis, a 19% increase from the previous five-year average for that day.
Daily traffic counts and their comparison to the previous five-year average are as follows:
- Friday, Aug. 1: 56,000 vehicles (Up 8.2%)
- Saturday, Aug. 2: 62,500 vehicles (Up 12.5%)
- Sunday, Aug. 3: 60,495 vehicles (Up 2.4%)
- Monday, Aug. 4: 68,906 vehicles (Up 19%)
- Tuesday, Aug. 5: 63,863 vehicles (Up 13.1%)
- Wednesday, Aug. 6: 59,414 vehicles (Up 9.7%)
- Thursday, Aug. 7: 54,697 vehicles (Up 11.1%)
- Friday, Aug. 8: 50,672 vehicles (Up 13.3%)
- Saturday, Aug. 9: 38,158 vehicles (Up 13.6%)
- Sunday, Aug. 10: 22,754 vehicles (Up 10.9%)
A full report, which will include traffic counts from the wider Black Hills area, is expected to be released by the SDDOT during the week of August 18, 2025. This report will be available on the SDDOT website. For additional information related to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, including travel FAQs and speed limit information, travelers can visit the SDDOT's dedicated rally page.