Surviving Summit League Traffic in Sioux Falls

When the Summit League Basketball Tournament hits the Premier Center, traffic basically sets up camp around Russell Street, West Avenue, and the I-29 exits. That northwest corner of Sioux Falls turns into a slow-moving parade of SUVs, team buses, and people trying to make a left turn like it’s a life goal.

Timing matters. Early mornings are best. Late afternoons and evenings, especially the hours before and after tip-off, feel like a chaotic group project where nobody planned ahead. Check your schedule and consider run errands earlier in the day if possible. Your blood pressure will thank you.

If you’re not going to a game, you’ve got two choices: complain about traffic or outsmart it. Avoid Russell Street before and after games if you value your sanity. I-29 Exit 81 will test your patience. Instead, loop around using I-229 on the east side, or cut across town on 12th or 41st if it makes sense. Minnesota Avenue and Kiwanis Avenue south of 12th Street can be decent north-south backups, though rush hour can get tense. Western Avenue? Two lanes through the heart of town. That’s always a gamble 365 days a year.

If you are going to a game, show up early and pick the first a parking spot you see. Circling the lot five times will not magically create new spaces. Walking a few extra minutes beats pretending you’re in the Daytona 500.

All the hassle is worth it though. The tournament brings people and their money into Sioux Falls. We handle blizzards and construction season every year. A few days of basketball traffic is survivable. Probably.