Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Trip from Ralston, NE to Alliance, NE
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 48m
Distance
390.4 mi
628 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 39m
★
6 AM
7h 48m
8 AM
8h 7m
10 AM
7h 55m
12 PM
7h 53m
3 PM
7h 56m
5 PM
8h 6m
8 PM
7h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ralston, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Alliance, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Ralston, NE to Alliance, NE is 390.4 miles and takes about 7h 48m via Highway 2 and Highway 92, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape from start to finish. Expect a straightforward drive with mixed highway and surface road conditions. With only 2 planned stops and a longest stretch of over 100 miles, it's a route best suited for a single day of driving if you're looking to get there efficiently.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
195.2 miles from Ralston, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 2 | 107.7 mi | 2h 4m |
| Highway 92 | 83 mi | 1h 37m |
| Southwest 1st Street | 82.4 mi | 1h 37m |
| County Road K | 14.2 mi | 16m |
| County Road 130 | 13.4 mi | 16m |
| County Road M | 12.4 mi | 15m |
| 32 Road | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| 31 Road | 12.2 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
Highway 2
— 107.7 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ralston, NE and Alliance, NE.
1
Start on Q Street
176 ft
·
11 sec
·
Q Street
2
Continue on Q Street
322 ft
·
20 sec
·
Q Street
3
Turn right onto N-85
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
South 84th Street
4
Turn left onto US 275; N-92
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
L Street
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 275; N-92
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Industrial Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 275; N-92
11 mi
·
16 min
·
West Center Road
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on N-92
12 mi
·
15 min
·
County Road M
8
Enter roundabout onto US 77; N-92
154 ft
·
1 sec
·
Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway
9
Continue on US 77; N-92
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn right onto N-92
14 mi
·
16 min
·
County Road K
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on N-92
12 mi
·
14 min
·
32 Road
12
Turn straight onto N-92
12 mi
·
14 min
·
31 Road
13
Continue on N-92
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road 131
14
Continue on US 81; N-92
0.8 mi
·
51 sec
·
East Park Street
15
Continue on US 81; N-92
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
County Road 131
16
Continue on US 81; N-92
13 mi
·
16 min
·
County Road 130
17
Turn straight onto N-92
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Highway 92
18
Turn right onto US 281; N-92
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 281
19
Continue on US 281; N-92
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Street
20
Turn left onto N-92
50 mi
·
59 min
·
Highway 92
21
At end of road, turn right onto N-2; N-92
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Highway 2
22
Continue on N-2; N-92
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South E Street
23
Continue on N-2; N-92
67 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Highway 2
24
Continue on N-2
0.7 mi
·
44 sec
·
Court Street
25
Continue on N-2
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Highway 2
26
Continue on N-2
82 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
Southwest 1st Street
27
Continue on N-2
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
1st Street
28
Continue on N-2
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 2
29
Continue on N-2
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Perkins Road
30
Continue on N-2
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
East 3rd Street
31
Turn right onto Mississippi Avenue
0.3 mi
·
57 sec
·
Mississippi Avenue
32
Turn left onto East 8th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East 8th Street
33
Turn left onto Laramie Avenue
184 ft
·
8 sec
·
Laramie Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour 48-minute drive time, starting your day in Ralston by 9 AM will get you to Alliance with daylight to spare. Plan for your two stops to be spaced out, perhaps one around the halfway mark, to break up the longest stretch of 107.7 miles on Highway 2. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches, as services can be more spread out in this region. The $65 fuel cost is an estimate, so it’s always wise to have a little extra buffer. Since this is a single-day trip, aim for an early departure to avoid feeling rushed.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 195.2 miles from Ralston, NE, or about 3h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.7 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 86 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195.2 miles or 3h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alliance, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ralston, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ralston, NE
This is one driving day of about 390.4 miles and 7h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Ralston, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Highway 2 for about 107.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
195 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 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 195.2 miles from Ralston, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Highway 2 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.7 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.
Service Plaza
2.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 181.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
N-85 / South 84th Street
Turn right onto N-85 / South 84th Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 275; N-92 / L Street
Turn left onto US 275; N-92 / L Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
30.4 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
US 77; N-92 / Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway
Enter roundabout onto US 77; N-92 / Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
33.8 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
N-92 / County Road K
Turn right onto N-92 / County Road K
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
181.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
|
N-2; N-92 / Highway 2
At end of road, turn right onto N-2; N-92 / Highway 2
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.65 one way
$115.31 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
137 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $63.65 | $127.29 |
| premium | $4.72 | $72.49 | $144.97 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $73.71 | $147.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 117.1 | 1 | $40.99 | $18.74 |
| Efficient EV | 97.6 | 1 | $34.16 | $15.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 156.2 | 1 | $54.66 | $24.99 |
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Ralston, NE
Evening in Ralston on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
S 3 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Alliance, NE
Evening in Alliance on Saturday
Local time
7:27 PM
MDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 5 to 15 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
64°F
Lexington, NE
195 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
9 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
7h 48m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 52% highway, meaning you'll experience a blend of faster travel and more rural cruising. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 107.7 miles on Highway 2 before transitioning to other roads. Expect to notice more frequent exits and on-ramps when you are on the highway portions, and a more open feel when you are on the surface roads. The profile is described as mixed highway & surface, so be prepared for changes in road type and speed limits.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.7 mi on Highway 2.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near N-85 / South 84th Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
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 7h 48m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (N-85 / South 84th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 275; N-92 / L Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.4 miles (US 77; N-92 / Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,965 ft
1,143 ft
Total Climb
2,822 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
3,965 ft
~390.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,822 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Ralston, NE
Full guide →Arriving in Alliance, NE
Full guide →Alliance is a city in the Nebraska Panhandle with a population of 8,100 in 2019.
Top landmarks
- • City of Alliance Central Park Fountain — fountain in Alliance, United States of America
- • Alliance Commercial Historic District — historic district in Alliance, 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 7h 48m. Total distance: 390.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.7 miles on Highway 2. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 Alliance, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 2 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 0.1 miles (N-85 / South 84th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 275; N-92 / L Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.4 miles (US 77; N-92 / Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alliance, NE before the return drive.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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