Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2026 Traffic Counts Reach 168,482 Vehicles in First Three Days, SDDOT Reports

Northeast Radio SD News – Sturgis, SD - The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has released the first three days of traffic counts for vehicles entering Sturgis during the 86th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which runs Aug. 7–16, 2026. Daily counts are being recorded at nine entry points around the city.

Daily Vehicle Counts

·         Friday, Aug. 7: 54,515 vehicles Up 2.9% from the previous five‑year average

·         Saturday, Aug. 8: 58,519 vehicles Up 2.5% from the previous five‑year average

·         Sunday, Aug. 9: 55,448 vehicles Down 7.5% from the previous five‑year average

Three‑Day Total

·         2026 Rally Total to Date: 168,482 vehicles Down 0.9% compared to the five‑year average

·         Previous Five‑Year Average (2021–2025): 170,030 vehicles

SDDOT will compile a full report—including traffic counts across the greater Black Hills region—during the week of Aug. 24, 2026. That report will be available at: https://dot.sd.gov/transportation/highways/traffic-data/

Additional Rally Travel Information

SDDOT provides updated details on reduced speed zones, temporary traffic signals, travel FAQs, and other rally‑related guidance at: https://dot.sd.gov/travelers/travelers/sturgis-rally-travel-information-faq

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