Be Ready For Thousands Of Motorcycles To Hit Wyoming Roads

Motorcycle traffic around Wyoming will begin picking up over the next few weeks, with the 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally coming August 7-16. Thousands of motorcycles, bikers, wannabe bikers, people watchers, partiers, increased law enforcement, and adventure seekers will all come together to increase the population of Sturgis, Deadwood, Rapid City, and other smaller towns in South Dakota, as well as increase the traffic on the roads.

In 2025, around 537,459 vehicles entered Sturgis during the 10-day rally. Because of the increased traffic, South Dakota makes temporary changes to speed limits on some roads and even installs traffic signals. That goes to show you how busy and wild it becomes.

A NHTSA report that was just released says over 6,000 motorcyclists are killed each year around the country. That counts for about 16% of all traffic fatalities. During Sturgis, you always hear about a horrific accident involving a motorcycle, so there are safety reminders for you, not just during the rally, but throughout the motorcycle riding season.

Remember you're sharing the road. Show respect for all drivers and riders.

• Obey speed limits
• Watch your blind spots
• Pass with care
• Check the weather and be aware of sudden changes
• Double-check traffic at intersections
• Maintain extra distance between vehicles. Allow a minimum of 2 seconds per vehicle, even more during nighttime.
• Anticipate stops
• Don't drink and drive or drive impaired.
• Keep an eye out for road hazards
• Don't rubberneck when you see an accident, someone pulled over, or another distraction while driving; stay focused on the road.
• Refrain from being distracted by your phone or other things to keep your attention away from the road.

For some folks, it's a bucket list item and will only get to come once; for others, they're there every year, and no one wants their trip to end in tragedy, so be safe and stay alert to what's going on around you.

The added traffic can be frustrating for some, but it's good for business, and not just South Dakota businesses, but also those in Wyoming. When bikers travel to the rally, they stop to refuel, eat, buy stuff, and even stay in Wyoming. When they get to Sturgis, they don't just stay at their campsite or in their hotel; they hit the road and check out the sites. For many businesses, the 10-day rally period is when they make their money for the year. So, if you get annoyed by the traffic, just know that it's a good thing and will only last a short time.