Mount Rushmore Road named South Dakota’s most passive-aggressive road, survey says

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - A new nationwide survey has named Mount Rushmore Road in Rapid City as South Dakota’s most “passive-aggressive” road.

The study by American River Wellness, a behavioral health and compliance company, surveyed more than 3,000 drivers about behaviors such as refusing to let others merge, closing gaps in traffic, blocking intersections and preventing vehicles from pulling into traffic.

Mount Rushmore Road ranked 83rd nationally. Researchers said the mix of local traffic, tourists, restaurants, hotels, and cross-town commuters may contribute to impatient driving habits.

Two other South Dakota roads also made the list: 6th Avenue SE in Aberdeen ranked 96th, while Louise Avenue in Sioux Falls came in 123rd.

The survey found that the most commonly reported passive-aggressive driving behavior among South Dakotans was cutting across lanes at the last second, cited by 23% of respondents. Other common complaints included refusing to let drivers pull out from side roads or parking lots and tailgating without passing.

More than a quarter of respondents said these behaviors are most common in merge lanes and lane-drop areas. While one-third said the encounters were only briefly annoying, others reported feeling anxious, angry, or more defensive behind the wheel afterward.

“Passive-aggressive driving tends to fly under the radar because it does not always look dramatic, but over time it can create enormous stress for drivers,” said Graham Sargent of American River Wellness.

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