Origin
Beatrice, NE
Night in Beatrice on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Beatrice, NE to Holdrege, NE
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 3m
Distance
152.7 mi
246 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 52m
★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 26m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Beatrice, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Holdrege, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 152.7 miles across the Nebraska Great Plains, this route from Beatrice to Holdrege is a straightforward journey typically taking about 3 hours and 3 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $23 for fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your regional travel. Since both the origin and destination sit firmly within the Great Plains, you will experience a consistent rural landscape throughout the drive. This path is ideal if you prefer a direct, highway-focused experience over complex navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.4 miles from Beatrice, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 4 | 79.7 mi | 1h 33m |
| N-4 | 45.6 mi | 52m |
| West Highway 4 | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| US 183 | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| US 281 | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| South East Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Court Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| US 81 | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Highway 4
— 79.7 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beatrice, NE and Holdrege, NE.
1
Start on this road
37 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
62 ft
·
4 sec
3
Merge onto US 77
432 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 6th Street
4
Turn right onto US 136 Truck; N-4 Truck
0.3 mi
·
57 sec
·
Ella Street
5
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
376 ft
·
9 sec
·
North 2nd Street
6
Turn right onto US 136; N-4
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Court Street
7
Turn right onto N-4
8.5 mi
·
11 min
·
West Highway 4
8
Continue on N-4
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
State Highway 4
9
Continue on N-4
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Highway 4
10
Turn right onto N-4; N-15
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 15
11
Turn left onto N-4
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Highway 4
12
Continue on N-4
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Francis Street
13
Continue on N-4
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Highway 4
14
Turn left onto US 81; N-4
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 81; N-4
15
Turn right onto N-4
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Highway 4
16
Turn left onto N-4; N-14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 14
17
Turn right onto N-4
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Highway 4
18
Continue on N-4
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
19
Continue on N-4
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Highway 4
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 281; N-4
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 281; N-4
21
Turn slight right onto N-4
46 mi
·
52 min
·
N-4
22
Turn right onto US 183
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
US 183
23
Continue on South East Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South East Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
East Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though planning for one strategic stop will help you stay refreshed. Since the route is relatively short, you can easily pace your travel to suit your schedule without rushing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early on, as the $23 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and current local pricing. Since you will be spending the majority of your time on Highway 4, ensure your mirrors and lights are clear before heading out for those long, 79.7-mile stretches. Taking advantage of the single planned stop will keep your trip comfortable and stress-free.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.4 miles from Beatrice, NE, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 34 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.4 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Holdrege, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Beatrice, NE so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Beatrice, NE
This is one driving day of about 152.7 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Beatrice, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Highway 4 for about 79.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.4 miles from Beatrice, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Highway 4 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 94.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 77 / North 6th Street
Merge onto US 77 / North 6th Street
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 136 Truck; N-4 Truck / Ella Street
Turn right onto US 136 Truck; N-4 Truck / Ella Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North 2nd Street
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
5
94.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
US 281; N-4
At end of road, turn left onto US 281; N-4
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.87 one way
$47.75 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.21 | $52.42 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.39 | $58.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.71 | $67.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.8 | 0 | $16.03 | $7.33 |
| Efficient EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.36 | $6.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.1 | 0 | $21.38 | $9.77 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Holdrege, NE
Night in Holdrege on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Geneva, NE
76 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 3m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Homestead National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Homestead Act of 1862 transformed the world. Millions were invited to file claims including families, women, immigrants, and formerly enslaved people. Over 10 percent of the United States was home...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 5.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Your journey is defined by a reliance on Highway 4, which accounts for about 67% of the total distance. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the road, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 79.7 miles on Highway 4. The drive maintains a consistent, highway-focused character, avoiding the stop-and-go congestion often found on major interstates. Expect a quiet, steady pace as you navigate the regional corridors connecting these two Nebraska towns. It is a practical drive that prioritizes efficiency and a predictable road experience over technical maneuvers.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.7 mi on Highway 4.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 4 and N-4. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Beatrice, NE to Holdrege, NE is easy. At 3h 3m with 67% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (US 77 / North 6th Street): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 0.1 miles (US 136 Truck; N-4 Truck / Ella Street): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 152.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.7 miles on Highway 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through NE can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (US 77 / North 6th Street): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 0.1 miles (US 136 Truck; N-4 Truck / Ella Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Homestead National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Holdrege, NE, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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