Melia Hill Rest Area Westbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Bellevue, NE to Wood River, NE
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 52m
Distance
155.4 mi
250 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 41m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 0m
12 PM
2h 58m
3 PM
3h 1m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellevue, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Wood River, NE
Александр Ершков
Trip Overview
Bellevue, NE to Wood River, NE is 155.4 miles and takes about 2h 52m via I 80 and Highway 370, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, taking you across the heart of Nebraska. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a good option for a quick relocation or a dedicated travel day. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is manageable, and the route is efficient.
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
77.7 miles from Bellevue, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 132.6 mi | 2h 16m |
| Highway 370 | 12.1 mi | 17m |
| West Schultz Road | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Harlan Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| South Alda Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Mission Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| West Highway 30 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Elm Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 132.6 mi, about 2h 16m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,309 veh/hr typical · worst 1,836
Quietest
2 AM
~133 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellevue, NE and Wood River, NE.
1
Start on Main Street
73 ft
·
4 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto East Mission Avenue
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Mission Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto Galvin Road South
412 ft
·
10 sec
·
Galvin Road South
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto Galvin Road South
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Galvin Road South
5
Turn left onto Harlan Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Harlan Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on N-370
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Highway 370
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 80 West: Lincoln
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 80
133 mi
·
2 hr 16 min
·
I 80
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward NE 40C Link: Alda
10
Turn right onto L-40C; I 80 Alt
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Alda Road
11
Turn left onto West Schultz Road
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
West Schultz Road
12
Turn right onto Elm Street
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
Elm Street
13
Turn left onto US 30; I 80 Alt
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Highway 30
14
Turn sharp right onto East Street
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Street
15
Arrive at destination
East Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 52m estimated drive time, leaving Bellevue, NE in the morning should give you ample time to reach Wood River, NE before evening. With only one recommended stop and a 132.6-mile stretch on I 80, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $24, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before heading onto the longer highway segments. This route is efficient, so you have flexibility in when you depart.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.7 miles from Bellevue, NE, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.6 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 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.7 miles or 1h 28m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wood River, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bellevue, 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 Bellevue, NE
This is one driving day of about 155.4 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Bellevue, 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 I 80 for about 132.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 77.7 miles from Bellevue, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Grand Island Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
York Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Blue River Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
York Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.7 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.7 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 14.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Mission Avenue
Turn right onto East Mission Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Galvin Road South
Turn right onto Galvin Road South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Galvin Road South
Keep slight left at fork onto Galvin Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
1.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Harlan Drive
Turn left onto Harlan Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
14.6 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Turn left toward I 80 West: Lincoln
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 80 West: Lincoln
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.11 one way
$42.21 round trip
$3.45/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $23.55 | $47.11 |
| premium | $4.15 | $25.39 | $50.78 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $22.94 | $45.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.32 | $7.46 |
| Efficient EV | 38.9 | 0 | $13.60 | $6.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.2 | 0 | $21.76 | $9.95 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Bellevue, NE
Morning in Bellevue on Saturday
Local time
9:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Sunny
NNW 13 to 22 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 7:54AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Goodland KS
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 7:54AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Goodland KS
Destination
Wood River, NE
Morning in Wood River on Saturday
Local time
9:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Sunny
N 15 to 25 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 7:54AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Goodland KS
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 7:54AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Goodland KS
61°F
Lincoln, NE
78 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
2h 52m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 94% of this 155.4-mile drive on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 132.6 miles on I 80. Highway 370 and West Schultz Road make up the remaining portion, likely offering a change of pace as you transition to surface roads. Expect plenty of exits and straightforward cruising on I 80 before reaching your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.6 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Highway 370. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Mission Avenue.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 52m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Mission Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (Galvin Road South): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (Galvin Road South): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,965 ft
1,033 ft
Total Climb
979 ft
Total Descent
47 ft
Highest Point
1,965 ft
~155.4 mi in
Elevation Range
932 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Bellevue, NE
Full guide →Founded 1822
Bellevue, is a small town in Sarpy County, Nebraska, just south of Omaha and west of the Missouri River. It is the oldest town in Nebraska and the oldest town west of the Missouri River. It is known for being the historical home to Strategic Air Command and, today, US Strategic Command.
Top landmarks
- • Log Cabin — historic house in Bellevue, Nebraska, USA
- • Presbyterian Church — church building in Bellevue, Nebraska, United States
- • William E. Gordon House — historic house in Bellevue, Nebraska
Arriving in Wood River, NE
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 155.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.6 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 (East Mission Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (Galvin Road South): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (Galvin Road South): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wood River, NE before heading back.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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