Sturgis Rally traffic count up from 2023

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Sturgis Motorcycle Rally traffic counts from the South Dakota Department of Transportation show the 2024 entering traffic totals were higher than 2023 but lower than the five-year average.

The city of Sturgis shared that entering traffic was 470,987 this year. The SD DOT counted entering traffic at nine locations. The 2023 count was 458,000. The five-year average from 2019-2023 is 488,720. In 2021 and 2022, traffic counts and/or attendance reached or passed 500,000. Those were the highest marks reached since the 75th anniversary in 2015.

The rally increased from a 7-day event from to a 10-day event in 2017.

Motorcycle street racing returned on the second Sunday, the final day of the rally. City officials said the event would draw different attendees to the rally and possibly increase rally attendance in those final days.

The entering traffic on the second Saturday was up 4% from 2023 at 34,583. The count was 19,892 on the second Sunday a 1% increase from 2023. The Saturday count was higher than the five-year average of 33,999 but the Sunday count was 5.1% lower than the five-year average of 20,965.

The SD DOT traffic counts, garbage volume, cell phone data and other methods have been used to help determine the attendance at the rally.

The city had hauled 317.46 tons of garbage as compared to 349.21 tons hauled in 2023. The city said in its news release that the 2023 number is likely impacted by rain. It rained during the first three years of the rally and wet garbage is heavier than dry garbage.

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