Wall Drug Store, often called simply Wall Drug, is a roadside attraction and tourist stop located in the town of Wall, South Dakota, adjacent to Badlands National Park.

But the U.S. Department of Transportation disagreed. Wall Drugs is now down to about 250 signs in South Dakota, 30 in Minnesota and 20 in Wyoming.

What is Wall Drug? (333 Billboards outside Wall Drug, SD) What is Wall Drug? It’s a drug store and restaurant and gift shop mall and tourist trap on I-90 just outside Badlands National Park in the little town of Wall, South Dakota.

A long-standing Wall Drug tradition is to hang signs around the world giving the distance to the store. It’s a quirk, the company says, that dates back to World War II when American G.I. Leonel Jensen, a friend of the Hustead family, put up a sign 4,278 miles away from Wall while recapturing France.

Rick Hustead
“A big part of what we do is customer service—50 percent of our business is repeat business,” current owner, Rick Hustead, tells CountryLiving.com. “We’re a very interesting, unique attraction that grew up in the hard times of the Depression and is continuing today into the fourth generation.

Wall Drug honors the men and women in the armed services by providing them free coffee and donuts to this day. Read Ted Hustead’s story about the genius behind what made Wall Drug Store into the roadside attraction we love and celebrate around the world.

It is most definitely worth the stop. Even if you are just grabbing some free water and snapping some fun pics, it is a great way to break up your drive! Wall Drug is located about 55 miles east of Rapid City, SD (roughly an hour away).

Ted Hustead was born on May 11, 1951 in Western South Dakota. He has lived nearly all of his life in the small town of Wall. He is the grandson of Ted and Dorothy Hustead, founders of the world famous Wall Drug. Ted, along with other family members, is a co-owner of the drug store.

“Ted,” said Dorothy, “We gotta let people know we’re here.” The Hustead’s original advertising campaign included a jingle written by Dorothy and an offer of free ice water. The name was changed from Hustead Drug to Wall Drug because Dorothy thought it was catchier, and business began to improve.

Visitors to the restaurant can relax and enjoy a glass of wine with a meal from a complete menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items, including a full kids’ menu. The soda fountain has been a Wall Drug favorite since the early 1930s for both adults and kids.

There are also gas stations for easy refueling before you hit the road again. Quirky roadside attraction – The 80 foot tall dinosaur out on the highway exit is just the tip of the iceberg.

The signs are created by South Dakota billboard artists, including Dobby Hansen and Barry Knutson of Philip . To date, Wall Drug still offers free ice water, but as they have become more popular, they have started to offer free bumper stickers to aid in promotion, and coffee for 5 cents.

Most of Wall Drug’s advertisement billboards can be found on an approximately 650-mile-long (1,050 km) stretch of Interstate 90 from Minnesota to Billings, Montana. The signs are created by South Dakota billboard artists, including Dobby Hansen and Barry Knutson of Philip .

Wall Drug Store. Nestled in the city of Wall in the western part of the state, Wall Drug has grown from its humble beginnings in 1931 to a thriving oasis. Wall Drug offers dining, activities, gifts and souvenirs, visitor information and, of course, free ice water. Many road-worn travelers stop at Wall Drug and leave awake and refreshed,…

Billboards became a staple of Wall Drug and the signs remain hand-painted to this day. Weary travelers crossing South Dakota are well informed of how many miles it is to Wall Drug – and its still-free ice water. Do you have a Wall Drug sign photo you would like to share with us?