Trip from Hickman, NE to North Platte, NE

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

Drive Time

4h 14m

Distance

242.4 mi

390 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 1m ★

6 AM

4h 14m

8 AM

4h 41m

10 AM

4h 23m

12 PM

4h 21m

3 PM

4h 25m

5 PM

4h 39m

8 PM

4h 6m

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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Hickman, NE

Quang Nguyen Vinh

North Platte, NE

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Hickman, NE to North Platte, NE covers 242.4 miles and takes about 4h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, Roca Road, 154th Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 210.1 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.90 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

1 planned break

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

Midpoint

121.2 miles from Hickman, NE

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	210.1 mi	3h 30m
Roca Road	11.1 mi	13m
154th Road	8.4 mi	10m
Hickman Road	4 mi	5m
Highway 103	3 mi	3m
South 12th Street	1.7 mi	1m
County Road D	1 mi	2m
South Dewey Street	0.6 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 210.1 mi, about 3h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hickman, NE and North Platte, NE.

Start on East 2nd Street

45 ft · 4 sec · East 2nd Street

Turn right onto Chestnut Street

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Chestnut Street

Enter roundabout onto Hickman Road

199 ft · 4 sec · Hickman Road

Continue on Hickman Road

4.0 mi · 5 min · Hickman Road

Turn right onto US 77

1.7 mi · 1 min · South 12th Street

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 38 sec

Toward NE 33, NE 55F Spur: Roca, Crete

Turn left onto N-33; S-55F

11 mi · 13 min · Roca Road

Turn right onto Southwest 142nd Street

217 ft · 11 sec · Southwest 142nd Street

Turn left onto County Road D

1.0 mi · 2 min · County Road D

Turn right onto N-103

3.0 mi · 3 min · Highway 103

Continue on N-103

6.4 mi · 8 min · 154th Road

Continue on N-103

0.2 mi · 25 sec · South 5th Street

Continue on N-103

1.4 mi · 1 min · 154th Road

Enter roundabout onto N-103; I 80 Alt

121 ft · 2 sec · 154th Road

Continue on N-103; I 80 Alt

0.6 mi · 50 sec · 154th Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Exit 388 Toward I 80 west

Merge onto I 80

210 mi · 3 hr 30 min · I 80

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward US 83: North Platte, McCook

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward US 83 North: North Platte

Merge onto US 83

0.3 mi · 33 sec · South Jeffers Street

Continue on US 83

0.6 mi · 59 sec · South Dewey Street

Turn left onto East Philip Avenue

321 ft · 20 sec · East Philip Avenue

Turn left onto US 83R

0.1 mi · 12 sec · South Jeffers Street

Turn right onto West William Avenue

400 ft · 23 sec · West William Avenue

Turn left

156 ft · 11 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 121.2 miles from Hickman, NE, or about 2h 10m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 210.1 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 53 miles or 1h 2m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 121.2 miles or 2h 10m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 28m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Hickman, 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 Hickman, NE

This is one driving day of about 242.4 miles and 4h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Hickman, 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 210.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Shelton, NE

121 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.

Popular next leg

Shelton, NE to North Platte, NE

118.8 mi · 2h 6m

Pacing Suggestions

Seward, NE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Shelton, NE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 121.2 miles from Hickman, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 210.1 miles.

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

Luigi's | Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Platte, Nebraska

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 242.4

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13082212961

Visit website

the Espresso Shop | Caravan

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Platte, Nebraska

0.9 mi

Tempura | Japanese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Platte, Nebraska

1.1 mi

Luigi's | Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 242.4

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13082212961

Visit website

the Espresso Shop | Caravan

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 242.4

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+13085349550

Visit website

Tempura | Japanese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 242.4

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13085320711

Visit website

North 40 Chophouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $50 to $10 mile 242.4

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 4–10 pm

+13082216688

Visit website

The Cedar Room

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 242.4

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 4–9 pm

+13085324825

Visit website

Penny's Diner

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 242.4

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13085359900

Visit website

Merricks Ranch House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 242.4

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+13085328200

Visit website

ALICIA'S PUPUSAS INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 242.4

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+13086601165

Rath's Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.6

Aurora, Nebraska

0.6 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.7 mi from route

Sod House Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 207.8

Gothenburg, Nebraska

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13085291630

Visit website

Cody Park Railroad Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 242.4

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+13085356719

Visit website

Edgerton Explorit Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 86.6

Aurora, Nebraska

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14026944032

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.1 and 240.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6.1 mi into trip | ~8m 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

30.2 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the ramp toward I 80 west

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Exit 388 Toward I 80 west

30.5 mi into trip | ~40m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

240.7 mi into trip | ~4h 10m in

Take the exit toward US 83: North Platte, McCook

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 83: North Platte, McCook

240.9 mi into trip | ~4h 10m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 83 North: North Platte

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 83 North: North Platte

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.90 one way

$75.79 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 85 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$41.61	$83.22
premium	$4.89	$46.65	$93.30
diesel	$5.61	$53.52	$107.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 84.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	72.7	0	$25.45	$11.64
Efficient EV	60.6	0	$21.21	$9.70
EV Truck/SUV	97	1	$33.94	$15.51

Gas CO2

85 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 14, 2026

Origin

Hickman, NE

Afternoon in Hickman on Sunday

Local time

12:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North Platte, NE

Afternoon in North Platte on Sunday

Local time

12:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

33°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

50°F

Shelton, NE

121 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

16 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

4h 14m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

242.4 mi in 4h 14m, mostly highway — 210.1 mi of that is on I 80.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 210.1 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Roca Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 miles in.

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 4h 14m drive. You will face about 17 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.2 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 30.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 242.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 210.1 miles on I 80. 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at North Platte, 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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Explore more options from Hickman, NE or browse trips ending in North Platte, NE.

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Trip from Hickman, NE to North Platte, 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

Luigi's | Italian Restaurant

Luigi's | Italian Restaurant

the Espresso Shop | Caravan

Tempura | Japanese Restaurant

North 40 Chophouse

The Cedar Room

Penny's Diner

Merricks Ranch House

ALICIA'S PUPUSAS INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT

Rath's Cafe

Cozad Rest Area Eastbound

Cozad Rest Area Westbound

ONE9 Travel Center

Brady Rest Area Eastbound

Kearney Rest Area Westbound

Grand Island Rest Area Eastbound

York Rest Area Eastbound

Blue River Rest Area Eastbound

Rest Area

Petro Stopping Centers

Sapp Brothers Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Brady Rest Area Westbound

Kearney Rest Area Eastbound

York Rest Area Westbound

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Sapp Brothers Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Sod House Museum

Cody Park Railroad Museum

Edgerton Explorit Center

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hickman, NE

North Platte, NE

Same local time

16 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 14m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Homestead National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

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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