This 170-mile drive from Beatrice to South Sioux City, Nebraska, is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 29 minutes on the road, with an estimated fuel cost of $27. You'll primarily be on Highway 77 and US 77, with a brief section on County Road 11. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent feel throughout. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's an ideal day trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently between these two Nebraska communities.
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
85 miles from Beatrice, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 77
81.1 mi
1h 34m
US 77
17.7 mi
21m
County Road 11
11.6 mi
13m
North 56th Street
11.1 mi
12m
I 80
7.8 mi
8m
County Road M
5.2 mi
6m
South 12th Street
5 mi
5m
Homestead Expressway
4.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Highway 77
— 81.1 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beatrice, NE and South Sioux City, NE.
1
Start on this road
37 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right
62 ft·11 sec
3
Turn sharp left onto US 77
2.8 mi·5 min·North 6th Street
4
Continue on US 77
16 mi·18 min·Highway 77
5
Continue on US 77
3.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 77
6
Continue on US 77
5.0 mi·5 min·South 12th Street
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward NE 33, NE 55F Spur: Roca, Crete
8
Turn left onto N-33; S-55F
2.1 mi·2 min·Roca Road
9
Turn right onto Southwest 14th Street
3.0 mi·4 min·Southwest 14th Street
10
Continue on Southwest 12th Street
3.0 mi·4 min·Southwest 12th Street
11
Turn right onto West Denton Road
1.1 mi·1 min·West Denton Road
12
Turn left onto US 77
0.7 mi·52 sec·US Highway 77
13
Continue on US 77
4.7 mi·5 min·Homestead Expressway
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 77
0.5 mi·44 sec·US 77
Toward I 80 East, US 77 North: Omaha, Lincoln Airport
15
Merge onto I 80; US 77
7.8 mi·8 min·I 80; US 77
16
Take the exit onto US 77
0.4 mi·46 sec·US 77
Toward US 77 North: Fremont, Wahoo
17
Turn left onto US 77
11 mi·12 min·North 56th Street
18
Continue on US 77
0.1 mi·9 sec·South Highway 77
19
Continue on US 77
2.2 mi·2 min·County Road 18
20
Continue on US 77
12 mi·13 min·Highway 77
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto US 77; N-92
217 ft·2 sec·County Road M
22
Continue on US 77; N-92
5.2 mi·6 min·County Road M
23
Turn left onto US 77
12 mi·13 min·County Road 11
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on US 77
0.6 mi·42 sec·Highway 77
25
Enter roundabout onto S-27E
341 ft·4 sec·South Broad Street
26
Continue on S-27E
3.4 mi·7 min·South Broad Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on Highway 77
8.9 mi·10 min·Highway 77
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Take the exit onto US 77
17 mi·19 min·US 77
Toward US 77
29
Enter roundabout onto US 77
190 ft·3 sec·Charde Avenue
30
Continue on US 77
1.6 mi·3 min·Charde Avenue
31
Continue on US 77
27 mi·31 min·Highway 77
Use the straight lane.
32
Enter roundabout onto US 75; US 77
124 ft·5 sec·South Bluff Street
33
Continue on US 75; US 77
0.6 mi·1 min·South Bluff Street
34
Continue on US 75; US 77
0.2 mi·23 sec·Highway 77
35
Enter roundabout onto US 75; US 77
101 ft·4 sec·Highway 77
36
Continue on US 75; US 77
17 mi·20 min·Highway 77
Use the straight lane.
37
Turn right onto West 21st Street
0.7 mi·1 min·West 21st Street
38
Turn left onto US 20 Business
0.3 mi·51 sec·Dakota Avenue
39
Arrive at destination
US 20 Business
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 3.5 hours, this trip offers great flexibility for when you depart. Consider an early morning start to maximize your daylight, especially if you plan any unscheduled stops. You'll have one primary stretch of over 80 miles without many opportunities to break, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before setting out from Beatrice. The estimated fuel cost of $27 is a helpful budget point, but it's always wise to have a little extra. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the longer stretches on Highway 77.
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 85 miles from Beatrice, NE, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.1 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85 miles or 1h 42m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Sioux City, 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 170 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 77 for about 81.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 81.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 77 / North 6th Street
Turn sharp left onto US 77 / North 6th Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
27.9 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward NE 33, NE 55F Spur: Roca, Crete
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NE 33, NE 55F Spur: Roca, Crete
6
43 mi into trip|~53m in|US 77
Keep slight right at fork onto US 77 toward I 80 East, US 77 North: Omaha, Lincoln Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 East, US 77 North: Omaha, Lincoln A...
5
51.3 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|US 77
Take the exit onto US 77 toward US 77 North: Fremont, Wahoo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 77 North: Fremont, Wahoo
6
81.9 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|US 77 / County Road 11
Turn left onto US 77 / County Road 11
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.58 one way
$53.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.18
$58.36
premium
$4.89
$32.71
$65.43
diesel
$5.61
$37.53
$75.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51
0
$17.85
$8.16
Efficient EV
42.5
0
$14.87
$6.80
EV Truck/SUV
68
0
$23.80
$10.88
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Beatrice, NE
Late night
in Beatrice on Sunday
Local time
5:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Sioux City, NE
Late night
in South Sioux City on Sunday
Local time
5:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Fremont, NE
85 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 29m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 68% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 81.1 miles on Highway 77, making for steady progress. While the majority is highway, there are segments on local roads like County Road 11, offering a slight change of pace. The overall character is one of consistent travel, allowing you to settle into a rhythm as you cover the distance across the Great Plains.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.1 mi on Highway 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 77 and US 77. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 77 / North 6th Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 170 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 77 / North 6th Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 27.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43 miles (US 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Beatrice, NE and South Sioux City, NE, road signs point toward Crete, Lincoln Airport and Wahoo.
Crete
27.9 mi in|~33m
Lincoln Airport
43 mi in|~53m|via US 77
Wahoo
51.3 mi in|~1h 3m|via US 77
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 170 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.1 miles on Highway 77. 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at South Sioux City, NE before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 (US 77 / North 6th Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 27.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43 miles (US 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Homestead National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at South Sioux City, NE, but most travelers stay overnight.
