Brady Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Trip from North Platte, NE to Springfield, NE
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
263.9 mi
425 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 21m
★
6 AM
4h 34m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 43m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
4h 59m
8 PM
4h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Platte, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Springfield, NE
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
North Platte, NE to Springfield, NE is 263.9 miles and takes about 4h 34m via I 80, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Nebraska, offering a straightforward drive across the state. You'll be on the interstate for nearly the entire trip, making it a very efficient way to cover the distance. Consider this option if you need to get from western to eastern Nebraska quickly with minimal fuss.
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
131.9 miles from North Platte, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 254.9 mi | 4h 19m |
| Platteview Road | 6 mi | 8m |
| South Jeffers Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| State Highway 50 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Highway 31 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West William Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 254.9 mi, about 4h 19m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 64 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,029 veh/hr typical · worst 1,415
Quietest
2 AM
~117 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 North Platte, NE and Springfield, NE.
1
Start on this road
156 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto West William Avenue
400 ft
·
19 sec
·
West William Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 83R
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jeffers Street
4
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 80 East
5
Merge onto I 80
255 mi
·
4 hr 19 min
·
I 80
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward NE 31: Gretna, Louisville
7
Keep slight right at fork
302 ft
·
7 sec
8
Turn straight onto N-31
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Highway 31
9
Turn left onto Platteview Road
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Platteview Road
10
Turn right onto N-50
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
State Highway 50
11
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
12
Turn left onto North 1st Street
53 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 1st Street
13
Arrive at destination
North 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 34m estimated drive time, departing in the morning from North Platte is ideal to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a short overall duration, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without a significant break is over 250 miles on I 80. Ensure you have enough fuel before you begin the longest segment to comfortably reach Springfield.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 131.9 miles from North Platte, NE, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.9 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 58 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.9 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 42m
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 North Platte, 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 North Platte, NE
This is one driving day of about 263.9 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from North Platte, 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 I 80 for about 254.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 131.9 miles from North Platte, 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 254.9 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 Eastbound
0 mi from route
Cozad Rest Area Westbound
0 mi from route
Melia Hill Rest Area Westbound
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Kearney Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
York Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
York Rest Area Westbound
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
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
ONE9 Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Brady Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Kearney Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Grand Island Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.7 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 263.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West William Avenue
Turn right onto West William Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 83R / South Jeffers Street
Turn right onto US 83R / South Jeffers Street
Navigation decision point
5
256.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m in
Take the exit toward NE 31: Gretna, Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NE 31: Gretna, Louisville
5
256.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
263.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 33m in
|
North 1st Street
Turn left onto North 1st Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.88 one way
$87.75 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $47.79 | $95.59 |
| premium | $5.18 | $53.85 | $107.70 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $55.59 | $111.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.2 | 0 | $27.71 | $12.67 |
| Efficient EV | 66 | 0 | $23.09 | $10.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.6 | 1 | $36.95 | $16.89 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
North Platte, NE
Afternoon in North Platte on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
W 10 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, NE
Afternoon in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
SSE 7 to 12 mph
11% chance
Live forecast
85°F
Doniphan, NE
132 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
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
4h 34m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 97% of the 263.9 miles on interstates. You'll experience 254.9 miles on I 80 before transitioning to local roads like Platteview Road and South Jeffers Street. Expect a consistent cruising speed with frequent, though not necessarily overwhelming, exits along the primary interstate section.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 254.9 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Platteview Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West William Avenue.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 34m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West William Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 83R / South Jeffers Street): Navigation decision point; at 256.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,803 ft
1,066 ft
Total Climb
0 ft
Total Descent
1,737 ft
Highest Point
2,803 ft
Elevation Range
1,737 ft
About the Cities
Starting in North Platte, NE
Full guide →North Platte is a city in Nebraska. With a population of over 23,000 (2020), North Platte is the largest community in Lincoln County, located in west central Nebraska.
Top landmarks
- • Neville Center for the Performing Arts — theater and former movie theater in North Platte, Nebraska, United States
- • Hotel Yancey — historic building in North Platte, Nebraska, United States
- • Lincoln County Courthouse — county courthouse in North Platte, Nebraska
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 4h 34m. Total distance: 263.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 254.9 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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: near the start (West William Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 83R / South Jeffers Street): Navigation decision point; at 256.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, NE, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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