Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Norfolk, NE to Springfield, NE
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 19m
Distance
115.3 mi
186 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 9m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norfolk, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Springfield, NE
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
The drive from Norfolk, NE to Springfield, NE covers 115.3 miles and takes about 2h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 275, Highway 30, L-28B for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.3 miles on Highway 275. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.88 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.7 miles from Norfolk, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 275 | 59.3 mi | 1h 6m |
| Highway 30 | 20 mi | 21m |
| L-28B | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Highway 77 | 7.8 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 50 | 6 mi | 8m |
| North 144th Street | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| West Omaha Avenue | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| North Lincoln Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Highway 275
— 59.3 mi, about 1h 6m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,753 veh/hr typical · worst 4,378
Quietest
2 AM
~239 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.7×
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 Norfolk, NE and Springfield, NE.
1
Start on South 7th Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
South 7th Street
2
Enter roundabout onto South 7th Street
89 ft
·
2 sec
·
South 7th Street
3
Continue on South 7th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 7th Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 275
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Omaha Avenue
5
Continue on US 275
23 mi
·
26 min
·
Highway 275
6
Continue on US 275
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Avenue E West
7
Continue on US 275
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
E Avenue East
8
Continue on US 275
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Highway 275
9
Continue on US 275
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
10
Continue on US 275
7.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Highway 275
11
Continue on US 275
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Lincoln Street
12
Continue on US 275
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Highway 275
13
Continue on US 77; US 275; N-91
7.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Highway 77
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
15
Merge onto US 30; US 77; US 275
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Highway 30
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on L-28B
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
L-28B
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward 144th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft
·
10 sec
Toward 144th Street south
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto North 144th Street
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
North 144th Street
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on N-50
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 50
21
Continue on N-50
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South 144th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on N-50; I 80 Alt
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 50
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
24
Turn left onto North 1st Street
53 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 1st Street
25
Arrive at destination
North 1st Street
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.7 miles from Norfolk, NE, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.3 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 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.7 miles or 1h 8m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, 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 115.3 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Norfolk, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Highway 275 for about 59.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.7 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.7 mi from route
QuikTrip Travel Center
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
2 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 102.6 — 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
|
South 7th Street
Enter roundabout onto South 7th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 275 / West Omaha Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto US 275 / West Omaha Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
74.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
US 30; US 77; US 275 / Highway 30
Merge onto US 30; US 77; US 275 / Highway 30
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
102.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward 144th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 144th Street
8
102.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 144th Street south
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward 144th Street south
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.88 one way
$35.75 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $19.60 | $39.20 |
| premium | $4.93 | $22.37 | $44.74 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $25.42 | $50.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.11 | $5.53 |
| Efficient EV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.09 | $4.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.14 | $7.38 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Norfolk, NE
Afternoon in Norfolk on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, NE
Afternoon in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
70°F
Fremont, NE
58 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
23 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 19m on the road
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.
What kind of drive is this?
115.3 mi in 2h 19m, mostly highway — 59.3 mi of that is on Highway 275.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.3 mi on Highway 275.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 275 and Highway 30. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South 7th Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 115.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 74.2 miles (US 30; US 77; US 275 / Highway 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,525 ft
1,066 ft
Total Climb
159 ft
Total Descent
618 ft
Highest Point
1,525 ft
Elevation Range
459 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 Norfolk, NE to Springfield, NE, road signs begin pointing toward 144Th Street South along the way.
144Th Street South
102.6 mi in
|
~1h 58m
About the Cities
Starting in Norfolk, NE
Full guide →Founded 1866
Norfolk is a city in Eastern Nebraska with a population of 24,500 in 2019.
Top landmarks
- • Stubbs–Ballah House — house in Norfolk, Nebraska
- • Hotel Norfolk — hotel in Norfolk, Nebraska
- • Norfolk Community Theatre — theater and former movie theater in Norfolk, Nebraska, United States
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 2h 19m. Total distance: 115.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.3 miles on Highway 275. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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.
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.
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 74.2 miles (US 30; US 77; US 275 / Highway 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Springfield, NE before heading back.
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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