Origin
Norfolk, NE
Night in Norfolk on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
83.4 mi
134 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norfolk, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, NE
Dominik Gryzbon
Norfolk to Arlington is 83.4 miles and takes about 1 hour 38 minutes via Highway 275, Highway 77, and Highway 30, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route covers a short distance, making it a straightforward single-day trip. You'll be traveling entirely within Nebraska, moving from one part of the Great Plains to another. The drive is primarily highway-focused, meaning you'll likely experience consistent speeds and a predictable journey. Plan for a quick transition, as this trip is designed for efficiency.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.7 miles from Norfolk, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 275 | 59.3 mi | 1h 6m |
| Highway 77 | 7.8 mi | 8m |
| Highway 30 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| West Omaha Avenue | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| North Lincoln Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| US Highway 30 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Front Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| South 7th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, NE and Arlington, NE.
Start on South 7th Street
Enter roundabout onto South 7th Street
Continue on South 7th Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 275
Continue on US 275
Continue on US 275
Continue on US 275
Continue on US 275
Continue on US 275
Continue on US 275
Continue on US 275
Continue on US 275
Continue on US 77; US 275; N-91
Take the exit
Merge onto US 30; US 77; US 275
Take the exit onto US 30
Turn slight left onto US 30
Continue on US 30
Continue on US 30
Continue on US 30
Turn left onto North 3rd Street
Turn left onto West Eagle Street
Arrive at destination
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 38 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You'll spend around $13 on fuel, so factor that into your budget. With no designated stops in the data, you can create your own breaks as needed, perhaps pulling over around the 59.3-mile mark on Highway 275 for a brief rest. Since the drive is relatively short and mostly highway, watch your fuel gauge, as services might be spaced out between towns.
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.
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 18 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.7 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, NE than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Norfolk, NE so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Norfolk, NE
This is one driving day of about 83.4 miles and 1h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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.
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 41.7 miles from Norfolk, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 83.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Enter roundabout onto South 7th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
At end of road, turn left onto US 275 / West Omaha Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn left onto North 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto West Eagle Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$13.04 one way
$26.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.32 | $28.63 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.05 | $32.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.41 | $36.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25 | 0 | $8.76 | $4.00 |
| Efficient EV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.30 | $3.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.4 | 0 | $11.68 | $5.34 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Norfolk on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
49°F
West Point, NE
42 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the journey taking place on established highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 59.3 miles on Highway 275, offering a good amount of uninterrupted driving time. Expect a smooth and direct experience for most of the trip, as the route prioritizes efficient travel. The main roads guiding you are Highway 275, Highway 77, and Highway 30, suggesting a well-maintained and accessible path.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 275 and Highway 77. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South 7th Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Norfolk, NE to Arlington, NE is easy. At 1h 38m with 90% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South 7th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.7 miles (US 275 / West Omaha Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 73.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 83.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Norfolk, NE or browse trips ending in Arlington, NE.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NE road trips.