Cozad Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Trip from La Vista, NE to Bridgeport, NE
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 19m
Distance
410.2 mi
660 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$68
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 9m
★
6 AM
7h 19m
8 AM
7h 40m
10 AM
7h 27m
12 PM
7h 25m
3 PM
7h 28m
5 PM
7h 39m
8 PM
7h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Vista, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Bridgeport, NE
Wolfgang Weiser
Trip Overview
La Vista, NE to Bridgeport, NE is 410 miles and takes about 7 hours and 19 minutes via Park View Boulevard, South 84th Street, and Harrison Street, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Nebraska, traversing the Great Plains region. Expect a straightforward drive primarily on surface roads, making it a good option if you prefer to avoid interstate speeds. With only two planned stops and a 7-hour duration, it’s a manageable one-day adventure for those looking for a direct route across the state.
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
205.1 miles from La Vista, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 315.5 mi | 5h 20m |
| US 26 | 45.7 mi | 54m |
| Highway 26 West | 24.2 mi | 28m |
| N-92 | 15.8 mi | 19m |
| Harrison Street | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| North Spruce Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| South Highway 26/61 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Park View Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 315.5 mi, about 5h 20m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 152 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,291 veh/hr typical · worst 1,730
Quietest
2 AM
~132 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 La Vista, NE and Bridgeport, NE.
1
Start on Lillian Avenue
0.2 mi
·
55 sec
·
Lillian Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto Park View Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Park View Boulevard
3
Turn right onto N-85
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South 84th Street
4
Turn left onto Harrison Street
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Harrison Street
5
Turn left onto Giles Road
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Giles Road
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 80 West
7
Merge onto I 80
316 mi
·
5 hr 20 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant
9
Turn right onto US 26; N-61
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Highway 26/61
10
Continue on East A Street
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
East A Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto East 8th Street
330 ft
·
9 sec
·
East 8th Street
12
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Spruce Street
13
Turn left onto N-61
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Highway 26 West
14
Continue on US 26
46 mi
·
54 min
·
US 26
15
Turn left onto N-92
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
N-92
16
Keep slight right at fork onto N-92
15 mi
·
17 min
·
N-92
17
Turn right onto East 10th Street
123 ft
·
5 sec
·
East 10th Street
18
Arrive at destination
East 10th Street
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, leaving La Vista in the morning will give you ample time to reach Bridgeport before dark. Since it's a single-day trip with only two suggested stops, you have flexibility in how you pace your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move into more rural stretches, and plan your refueling stops accordingly; the estimated cost is around $65. A helpful tip for this surface road-heavy route is to check local traffic patterns for the towns you'll be passing through before you depart, as unexpected delays can occur.
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 205.1 miles from La Vista, NE, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 315.5 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 90 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 205.1 miles or 3h 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 6h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bridgeport, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving La Vista, 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 La Vista, NE
This is one driving day of about 410.2 miles and 7h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from La Vista, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 315.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
205 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 90 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 205.1 miles from La Vista, 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 315.5 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.
Cozad Rest Area Westbound
0 mi from route
Melia Hill Rest Area Westbound
0 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Sutherland Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Sutherland Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Brady Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Kearney Rest Area Westbound
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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Ogallala Rest Area Westbound (MM 132.55)
0.2 mi from route
Brady Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Kearney Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
York Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.8 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 0.2 and 320.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Park View Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto Park View Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
N-85 / South 84th Street
Turn right onto N-85 / South 84th Street
Navigation decision point
4
4.6 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
Giles Road
Turn left onto Giles Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
5.3 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
320.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.43 one way
$136.85 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
144 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.62 | $74.66 | $149.32 |
| premium | $5.25 | $84.83 | $169.67 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $101.35 | $202.71 |
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: 143.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 123.1 | 1 | $43.07 | $19.69 |
| Efficient EV | 102.6 | 1 | $35.89 | $16.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 164.1 | 2 | $57.43 | $26.25 |
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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.
Origin
La Vista, NE
Afternoon in La Vista on Friday
Local time
3:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Bridgeport, NE
Afternoon in Bridgeport on Friday
Local time
2:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Partly Cloudy
NNW 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 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
7h 19m 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 route is entirely on surface roads, meaning you won't encounter any highway driving for the entire 410 miles. You'll be navigating local streets like Park View Boulevard, South 84th Street, and Harrison Street for the bulk of the trip. With a longest stretch not specified, you can anticipate frequent intersections and varying speed limits as you move through different towns and rural areas.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 315.5 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 26. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Park View Boulevard.
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 19m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 12 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Park View Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (N-85 / South 84th Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.6 miles (Giles Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,667 ft
1,109 ft
Total Climb
2,558 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
3,667 ft
~410.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,558 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from La Vista, NE to Bridgeport, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Grant along the way.
Grant
320.8 mi in
|
~5h 30m
About the Cities
Starting in La Vista, NE
Full guide →Founded 1960
Arriving in Bridgeport, NE
Full guide →Bridgeport is in the Nebraska Panhandle.
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 7h 19m. Total distance: 410.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 315.5 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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.
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 Bridgeport, 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. There are 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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: at 0.2 miles (Park View Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (N-85 / South 84th Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.6 miles (Giles Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bridgeport, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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