Embarking on a journey from Norfolk to Imperial, Nebraska, covers 318.1 miles and will take you approximately 6 hours and 19 minutes. This one-day drive is a straightforward highway-focused experience, predominantly utilizing Highways 6 & 34 and 30. With an estimated fuel cost of around $50, this trip is an accessible option for a single-day adventure across the Great Plains. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained state highways, making it a manageable and efficient route. The drive offers a consistent pace, allowing you to cover significant ground within a single day without feeling overly rushed.
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
159.1 miles from Norfolk, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, NE and Imperial, NE.
1
Start on South 7th Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·South 7th Street
2
Enter roundabout onto West Pasewalk Avenue
33 ft·1 sec·West Pasewalk Avenue
3
Continue on West Pasewalk Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Pasewalk Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 81
39 mi·42 min·South 13th Street
5
Turn right onto N-22
7.8 mi·9 min·State Highway 22
6
Continue on N-22
0.5 mi·1 min·Columbus Avenue
7
Turn left onto Gleason Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·Gleason Street
8
Continue on 370th Avenue
8.9 mi·10 min·370th Avenue
9
Turn right onto US 30
26 mi·31 min·Highway 30
10
Continue on US 30
0.6 mi·1 min·16th Street
11
Continue on US 30
0.9 mi·1 min·G Street
12
Continue on US 30
18 mi·21 min·Highway 30
13
Turn left onto North Gunbarrel Road
4.1 mi·5 min·North Gunbarrel Road
14
Continue on Husker Highway
0.7 mi·1 min·Husker Highway
15
Turn right onto US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt
2.4 mi·3 min·Highway 34
16
Turn left onto South Locust Street
4.1 mi·5 min·South Locust Street
17
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
18
Merge onto I 80
41 mi·40 min·I 80
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
20
Turn left onto N-44; I 80 Alt
13 mi·15 min·2nd Avenue
21
Turn right onto US 6; US 34; N-44
5.1 mi·6 min·Highway 6
22
Continue on US 6; US 34
9.6 mi·11 min·US Highway 6 & 34
23
Continue on US 6; US 34
1.2 mi·2 min·4th Avenue
24
Continue on US 6; US 34
0.4 mi·49 sec·West 4th Avenue
25
Continue on US 6; US 34
9.2 mi·11 min·US Highway 6 & 34
26
Continue on US 6; US 34
22 mi·25 min·Highway 6 & 34
27
Continue on US 6; US 34
1.1 mi·1 min·Chestnut Street
28
Continue on US 6; US 34
5.1 mi·5 min·Highway 6 & 34
29
Continue on US 6; US 34
0.7 mi·1 min·6 & 34 Highway Street
30
Continue on US 6; US 34
15 mi·19 min·Highway 6 & 34
31
Continue on US 6; US 34
1.0 mi·1 min·Maple Street
32
Continue on US 6; US 34
4.9 mi·5 min·Highway 6 & 34
33
Continue on US 6; US 34
1.3 mi·2 min·D Street
34
Continue on US 6; US 34
9.8 mi·11 min·Highway 6 & 34
35
Continue on US 6; US 34
2.3 mi·6 min·East B Street
36
Continue on US 6; US 34
6.4 mi·7 min·West Highway 6 & 34
37
Continue on US 6; US 34
6.8 mi·8 min·Highway 34
38
Turn slight right
339 ft·4 sec
Toward US 6
39
Continue on this road
0.8 mi·54 sec·this road
Toward US 6
40
Keep slight right at fork
441 ft·5 sec
41
Turn straight onto US 6
38 mi·43 min·Highway 6
42
Continue on US 6; N-61
2.4 mi·2 min·338 Avenue
43
Continue on US 6; N-61
0.5 mi·34 sec·Highway 6
44
Continue on US 6; N-61
3.0 mi·3 min·736 Road
45
Continue on US 6; N-61
1.9 mi·2 min·Highway 6
46
Continue on US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·East 1st Street
47
At end of road, turn right onto US 6
0.3 mi·56 sec·Broadway Street
48
Turn left onto West 6th Street
34 ft·1 sec·West 6th Street
49
Arrive at destination
West 6th Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour and 19-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Norfolk to maximize daylight and arrive in Imperial with ample time. While there's only one recommended stop, you'll want to plan for fuel and rest breaks every 57 miles or so, especially given the longest stretch on Highway 6 & 34. The fuel cost is estimated at $50, so ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Norfolk. This route is well-suited for a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could consider breaking it up, though it's not strictly necessary.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 159.1 miles from Norfolk, NE, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57 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 70 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.1 miles or 3h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Imperial, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, NE
This is one driving day of about 318.1 miles and 6h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Norfolk, 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 Highway 6 & 34 for about 57 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 318.1 — 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|West Pasewalk Avenue
Enter roundabout onto West Pasewalk Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
107.4 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt / Highway 34
Turn right onto US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt / Highway 34
Navigation decision point
5
155.1 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
4
168.4 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|US 6; US 34; N-44 / Highway 6
Turn right onto US 6; US 34; N-44 / Highway 6
Navigation decision point
5
318.1 mi into trip|~6h 19m in|West 6th Street
Turn left onto West 6th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.73 one way
$99.46 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$54.60
$109.21
premium
$4.89
$61.22
$122.43
diesel
$5.61
$70.23
$140.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
4 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
Tesla Supercharger
Norfolk, Nebraska
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Norfolk, Nebraska
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Norfolk, Nebraska
Blink
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Norfolk, Nebraska
Blink
1 DCFC
Blink: 2
Tesla: 1
ChargePoint: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.4
1
$33.40
$15.27
Efficient EV
79.5
0
$27.83
$12.72
EV Truck/SUV
127.2
1
$44.53
$20.36
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Norfolk, NE
Evening
in Norfolk on Saturday
Local time
8:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Imperial, NE
Evening
in Imperial on Saturday
Local time
7:17 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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
32 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
6h 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its highway-centric nature, with 72% of the drive on main roads like Highway 6 & 34 and Highway 30. Expect a steady pace for the majority of your trip, punctuated by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 57 miles on Highway 6 & 34. While primarily highway driving, the experience is less about monotonous interstate travel and more about the consistent flow of state highways. The road offers a predictable driving experience, allowing you to settle into a rhythm as you traverse the Nebraska landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 49 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 6 & 34 is the longest continuous segment at about 57 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 6 & 34 and Highway 6. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West Pasewalk Avenue.
Driving Effort3/10
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 6h 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 (West Pasewalk Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 107.4 miles (US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt / Highway 34): Navigation decision point; at 155.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Norfolk, NE to Imperial, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Archway Monument along the way.
Archway Monument
155.1 mi in|~2h 57m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 19m. Total distance: 318.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The drive from Norfolk, NE to Imperial, NE covers 318.1 miles and takes about 6h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 6 & 34, Highway 6, Highway 30. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 159.1 miles from Norfolk, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.73 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 19m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 12 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West Pasewalk Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 107.4 miles (US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt / Highway 34): Navigation decision point; at 155.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Norfolk, NE to Imperial, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Archway Monument along the way.
