Trip from Chadron, NE to La Vista, NE

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 20m

Distance

437.4 mi

704 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$68

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

7h 10m ★

6 AM

7h 21m

8 AM

7h 42m

10 AM

7h 28m

12 PM

7h 26m

3 PM

7h 29m

5 PM

7h 41m

8 PM

7h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Chadron, NE

Felix Schickel

city in Sarpy County, Nebraska, United States

La Vista, NE

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embark on a 437.4-mile journey from Chadron, NE, to La Vista, NE, with an estimated driving time of 7 hours and 20 minutes. This route is best tackled in a single day, so plan for an early start to make the most of your travel time. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $66, making it an economical option for crossing the Great Plains. Expect a 'Turn-heavy local drive' experience, meaning you'll be navigating a series of turns rather than cruising on highways. With two planned stops, you'll have opportunities to break up the drive and stay refreshed.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

218.7 miles from Chadron, NE

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
East 3rd Street	—	—
South 1st Street	—	—
Highway 20	—	—
West 2nd Street	—	—
West 5th Street	—	—
North Hyde Street	—	—
West Douglas Street	—	—
Highway 275	—	—

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: East 3rd Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chadron, NE and La Vista, NE.

Start on the route

43 ft · 9 sec · the route

Turn left onto East 3rd Street

19 mi · 23 min · East 3rd Street

Continue on South 1st Street

1.1 mi · 1 min · South 1st Street

Continue on US Highway 20

10 mi · 11 min · US Highway 20

Continue on West 2nd Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · West 2nd Street

Continue on US Highway 20

160 mi · 3 hr 9 min · US Highway 20

Continue on Highway 20

37 mi · 43 min · Highway 20

Continue on West 5th Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · West 5th Street

Continue on North Hyde Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Hyde Street

Continue on Highway 20

17 mi · 20 min · Highway 20

Continue on West Douglas Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · West Douglas Street

Continue on Highway 20/275

12 mi · 15 min · Highway 20/275

Continue on Highway 275

7.6 mi · 8 min · Highway 275

Continue on Front Street

0.6 mi · 38 sec · Front Street

Continue on Highway 275

9.6 mi · 11 min · Highway 275

Continue on Miles Street

0.5 mi · 32 sec · Miles Street

Continue on Highway 275

8.1 mi · 9 min · Highway 275

Continue on West 11th Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · West 11th Street

Continue on L Street

13 mi · 15 min · L Street

Continue on Front Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Front Street

Continue on Highway 275

19 mi · 21 min · Highway 275

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Highway 275

194 ft · 2 sec · Highway 275

Exit the roundabout onto Highway 275

2.0 mi · 2 min · Highway 275

Continue on West Omaha Avenue

3.4 mi · 3 min · West Omaha Avenue

Continue on Highway 275

23 mi · 26 min · Highway 275

Continue on Avenue E West

0.5 mi · 1 min · Avenue E West

Continue on E Avenue East

0.5 mi · 1 min · E Avenue East

Continue on Highway 275

5.9 mi · 7 min · Highway 275

Continue on Front Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · Front Street

Continue on Highway 275

7.0 mi · 7 min · Highway 275

Continue on North Lincoln Street

1.8 mi · 2 min · North Lincoln Street

Continue on Highway 275

23 mi · 24 min · Highway 275

Continue on Highway 77

7.8 mi · 8 min · Highway 77

Take the exit slight right

0.3 mi · 47 sec

Merge slight left onto Highway 30

20 mi · 21 min · Highway 30

Continue straight

11 mi · 13 min

Take the exit slight right toward I 680, I 80

0.5 mi · 54 sec · I 680, I 80

Keep slight right to continue on I 680 South

0.4 mi · 58 sec · I 680 South

Merge slight left

2.0 mi · 2 min

Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Downtown

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 80 East: Downtown

Merge slight left

1.5 mi · 1 min

Take the exit slight right toward La Vista, Ralston

0.3 mi · 30 sec · La Vista, Ralston

Keep slight right to continue on La Vista, Ralston

427 ft · 8 sec · La Vista, Ralston

Turn straight onto South 84th Street

2.4 mi · 4 min · South 84th Street

Turn left onto Park View Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Park View Boulevard

Turn left onto Lillian Avenue

0.2 mi · 54 sec · Lillian Avenue

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Given the 7 hour and 20 minute duration, starting your drive from Chadron, NE, early in the morning is highly recommended to reach La Vista, NE, by evening. Pace your two stops strategically to manage the 437.4 miles, perhaps one mid-morning and another for lunch. Keep a close eye on your navigation, as the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making frequent adjustments. Remember to factor in the $66 fuel cost and ensure your tank is full before departing Chadron, as services might be more spread out on local roads.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 218.7 miles from Chadron, NE, or about 3h 40m into the drive.

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 96 miles or 1h 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 218.7 miles or 3h 40m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Vista, NE than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Chadron, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Chadron, NE

This is one driving day of about 437.4 miles and 7h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Chadron, NE.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gregory, SD

219 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

Valentine, NE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 96 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gregory, SD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 218.7 miles from Chadron, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Vietnamese restaurant lavista

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

La Vista, Nebraska

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 437.4

Hours: Closed

+14029918998

Visit website

Lina's Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

La Vista, Nebraska

0.7 mi

Thai Orchids Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

La Vista, Nebraska

0.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Coffee Society Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

La Vista, Nebraska

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 437.4

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+14027620332

Visit website

Vietnamese restaurant lavista

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 437.4

La Vista, Nebraska

Hours: Closed

+14029918998

Visit website

Lina's Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 437.4

La Vista, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14025921332

Visit website

Thai Orchids Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 437.4

La Vista, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+14025926877

Visit website

Maria's Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 437.4

Ralston, Nebraska

Hours: 4:30–9 pm

+14025923623

Visit website

Korea Garden Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 437.4

Ralston, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14025054089

Visit website

La Mesa Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 437.4

Papillion, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14025930983

Visit website

Lemon Tree Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 437.4

Ralston, Nebraska

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15317720709

Visit website

Runza Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 437.4

Papillion, Nebraska

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+14025969805

Visit website

Coffee Society Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 437.4

La Vista, Nebraska

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+14027620332

Visit website

Chirpy's Play Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 437.4

Papillion, Nebraska

Hours: 8:30 am–6 pm

+14028307626

Visit website

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 187.5

Ainsworth, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.9 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 437.4

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 437.4

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 437.4

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$68.38 one way

$136.76 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 153 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$75.08	$150.16
premium	$4.89	$84.17	$168.35
diesel	$5.61	$96.57	$193.14

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$68

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$93–$118

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 153 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $46 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	131.2	1	$45.93	$21.00
Efficient EV	109.4	1	$38.27	$17.50
EV Truck/SUV	175	2	$61.24	$27.99

Gas CO2

153 kg

EV CO2

51 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Chadron, NE

Evening in Chadron on Saturday

Local time

7:20 PM

MDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

La Vista, NE

Evening in La Vista on Saturday

Local time

8:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

47°F

Gregory, SD

219 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

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

29 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

7h 20m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is characterized by its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, indicated by a 0% highway share. You'll be navigating primarily on local roads, which means a more engaged driving experience with frequent turns. While there isn't a defined 'longest stretch' mentioned, the nature of this route suggests a constant need for attention to navigation. The road will likely feel more intimate and connected to the landscape as you move through the Great Plains, offering a different feel than a high-speed interstate journey.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Main road: East 3rd Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 20m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Chadron, NE to La Vista, NE is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 20m. Total distance: 437.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at La Vista, 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 2 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.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Chadron, NE to La Vista, NE is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at La Vista, NE before the return drive.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Chadron, NE or browse trips ending in La Vista, NE.

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Trip from Chadron, NE to La Vista, NE

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Vietnamese restaurant lavista

Coffee Society Cafe

Vietnamese restaurant lavista

Lina's Mexican Restaurant

Thai Orchids Restaurant

Maria's Mexican Restaurant

Korea Garden Restaurant

La Mesa Mexican Restaurant

Lemon Tree Cafe

Runza Restaurant

Coffee Society Cafe

Chirpy's Play Cafe

Omaha Tower Cafe

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Chadron, NE

La Vista, NE

1 hour later

29 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 20m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Will I have cell service along this route?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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