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
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~782 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,132
Quietest
3 AM
~98 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 42 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 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
$46.98 one way
$93.95 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$51.86
$103.72
premium
$4.72
$59.06
$118.12
diesel
$4.80
$60.06
$120.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
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, 2026-07-13.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Norfolk, NE
Night
in Norfolk on Saturday
Local time
9:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SSW 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:06PM CDT until July 20 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS North Platte NE
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:06PM CDT until July 20 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS North Platte NE
Destination
Imperial, NE
Evening
in Imperial on Saturday
Local time
8:53 PM
MDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
SE 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:06PM CDT until July 20 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS North Platte NE
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:06PM CDT until July 20 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS North Platte NE
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
3 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.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
49 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57 mi on Highway 6 & 34.
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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,286 ft1,506 ft
Total Climb
1,986 ft
Total Descent
225 ft
Highest Point
3,286 ft
~318.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,779 ft
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.
The longest stretch is about 57 miles on Highway 6 & 34. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Imperial, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 8 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 (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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Imperial, NE before the return drive.
