Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
48m
Distance
31.6 mi
51 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Crofton, NE
angello
Sparta to Crofton is 31.6 miles and takes about 48 minutes via Highway 12 and local roads, with a fuel budget near $5 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short drive stays within Nebraska's Great Plains region, offering a straightforward transit between two points. You'll spend most of your time on Highway 12, so expect a relatively quick and uncomplicated trip. Given its brevity, this route is ideal for a flexible schedule, allowing for spontaneous stops or a direct journey.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 12 | 21.7 mi | 24m |
| 528 Avenue | 3.4 mi | 8m |
| 889 Road | 2.6 mi | 6m |
| 531 Avenue | 2.2 mi | 5m |
| 885 Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Harold Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sparta, NE and Crofton, NE.
Start on 885 Road
Turn left onto 528 Avenue
Turn right onto 889 Road
Turn left onto 531 Avenue
Turn right onto N-12
Continue on N-12
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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.
A short stop after about 31.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 15.8 miles from Sparta, 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.
4 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 9.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto 528 Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto 889 Road
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto 531 Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto N-12 / Highway 12
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$5.25 one way
$10.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $5.72 | $11.45 |
| premium | $5.18 | $6.45 | $12.90 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $6.66 | $13.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
| Efficient EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.77 | $1.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.42 | $2.02 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Sparta on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Crofton on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This route is mostly highway, with 69% of the drive on main roads like Highway 12. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 21.7 miles on Highway 12 before transitioning to surface roads like 528 Avenue and 889 Road. Expect a rural cruising feel for a significant portion of the trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 12 and 528 Avenue. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near 528 Avenue.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Sparta, NE to Crofton, NE is easy. At 48m with 69% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (528 Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles (889 Road): Navigation decision point; at 7 miles (531 Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
628 ft
Total Descent
853 ft
Highest Point
1,793 ft
~22.5 mi in
Elevation Range
546 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 48m. Total distance: 31.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Straightforward navigation.
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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