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Trip from Alma, NE to Omaha, NE

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 15m

Distance

234.9 mi

378 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

26 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
4h 3m ★
6 AM
4h 16m
8 AM
4h 42m
10 AM
4h 25m
12 PM
4h 22m
3 PM
4h 26m
5 PM
4h 41m
8 PM
4h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Alma, NE, NE

Alma, NE

Engin Akyurt

seat of Douglas County, and largest city in State of Nebraska, United States

Omaha, NE

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Alma, NE to Omaha, NE covers 234.9 miles and takes about 4h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, US 136, N-44 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 179.5 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.91 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

117.4 miles from Alma, NE

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 234.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 15m highway drive covering 234.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and US 136. The longest continuous stretch is about 179.5 miles on I 80.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 179.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 136. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 52.2 miles in near I 80.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 15m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 52.2 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 231.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232 miles (Gerald R Ford Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
52.2 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
231.7 mi into trip | ~4h 10m in

Take the exit toward I 480 North, US 75: Eppley Airfield, Downtown, Bellevue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 480 North, US 75: Eppley Airfield, Dow...
6
232 mi into trip | ~4h 11m in | Gerald R Ford Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto Gerald R Ford Expressway toward I 480 North, US 75 North: Eppley Airfield, Downtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 480 North, US 75 North: Eppley Airfiel...
8
234 mi into trip | ~4h 13m in

Take the exit toward Harney Street, Dodge Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 2A Toward Harney Street, Dodge Street
5
234.2 mi into trip | ~4h 13m in | Harney Street

Turn right onto Harney Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 179.5 mi 3h 6m
US 136 21.9 mi 25m
N-44 12.6 mi 14m
US Highway 6 & 34 9.6 mi 11m
Highway 6 5.1 mi 6m
Gerald R Ford Expressway 2 mi 2m
South East Avenue 1.2 mi 2m
4th Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 179.5 mi, about 3h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alma, NE and Omaha, NE.

1

Start on John Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · John Street
2

Turn left onto US 136

0.4 mi · 31 sec · West 7th Street
3

Take the ramp onto US 136

245 ft · 6 sec · US 136
4

Turn slight right onto US 136; US 183

22 mi · 25 min · US 136; US 183
5

Continue on South East Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · South East Avenue
6

Turn right onto US 6; US 34

0.7 mi · 1 min · 4th Avenue
7

Continue on US 6; US 34

9.6 mi · 11 min · US Highway 6 & 34
8

Continue on US 6; US 34

5.1 mi · 6 min · Highway 6
9

Turn left onto N-44

13 mi · 14 min · N-44
10

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 80 East
11

Merge onto I 80

180 mi · 3 hr 6 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 480 North, US 75: Eppley Airfield, Downtown, Bellevue
13

Keep slight left at fork onto Gerald R Ford Expressway

2.0 mi · 2 min · Gerald R Ford Expressway
Toward I 480 North, US 75 North: Eppley Airfield, Downtown
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 2A Toward Harney Street, Dodge Street Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Turn right onto Harney Street

0.7 mi · 2 min · Harney Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Arrive at destination

Harney Street

Trip Plan

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 117.4 miles from Alma, NE, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 179.5 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 52 miles or 1h 3m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 117.4 miles or 2h 11m 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 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Omaha, NE than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Alma, 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 Alma, NE

This is one driving day of about 234.9 miles and 4h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Alma, 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 179.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 117.4 mi from Alma, NE · 2h 11m into the drive

Downtown Seward, NE, NE

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Seward, NE

117 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

Kearney, NE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Seward, NE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 117.4 miles from Alma, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 179.5 miles.

Arriving in Omaha, NE

The final approach into Omaha, NE usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Omaha, NE.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Monarch Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Omaha, Nebraska

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10 mile 234.9

Hours: 7–10 am

+14029910660

Visit website

Asli Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Omaha, Nebraska

0.4 mi

International Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Omaha, Nebraska

0.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Café Postale

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Omaha, Nebraska

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 234.9

Hours: Closed

+14022845019

Visit website

Monarch Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10 mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 7–10 am

+14029910660

Visit website

Asli Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 8:30 am–8 pm

+14025102273

Visit website

International Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+14023451568

The Durham Cafe by Clean Slate

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

Visit website

Tixteco Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14023159766

Visit website

Mercy Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 234.9

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+17128284200

Visit website

Fig.

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15319991284

Visit website

Greek Islands Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14023461528

Visit website

Café Postale

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Closed

+14022845019

Visit website

Edge of the Universe Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+14029906064

Visit website

The Mill Coffee & Bistro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 184.5

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+14024139191

Visit website

Coffee Society Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 218.1

La Vista, Nebraska

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+14027620332

Visit website

Omaha Tower Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+14025022850

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 234.9

Omaha, NE

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 218.1

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 218.1

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

The Old Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–1:30 pm

+14023464445

Visit website

Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Museum Of Shadows

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 2–10 pm

+14028857557

Visit website

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 234.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+14026611804

Visit website

Big Apple Fun Center

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 50.3

Kearney, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+13082344545

Visit website

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 201.3

Ashland, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14029442523

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.91 one way

$63.81 round trip

$3.45/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $3.85 $35.60 $71.21
premium $4.15 $38.38 $76.76
diesel $3.75 $34.68 $69.36

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 82.2 kg one way.

EV Charging Along Route

26 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Runza - Tesla Supercharger

Kearney, NE

Tesla

8 DCFC

Bosselman Travel Center - Tesla Supercharger

Grand Island, NE

Tesla

8 DCFC

Runza - Tesla Supercharger

Lincoln, NE

Tesla

8 DCFC

Lincoln #3 Hy-Vee - Tesla Supercharger

Lincoln, NE

Tesla

8 DCFC

Anderson Ford of Lincoln

Lincoln, NE

FCN

6 DCFC

HH Jeep Dodge Ram

Papillion, NE

ABM

6 DCFC

Pilot Travel Center 912

Wood River, NE

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Grand Island Quality Inn (Grand Island, NE)

Grand Island, NE

Electrify America

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 14 Tesla: 4 Electrify America: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 2 Blink Network: 1 eVgo Network: 1 FCN: 1 ABM: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 70.5 0 $24.66 $11.28
Efficient EV 58.7 0 $20.55 $9.40
EV Truck/SUV 94 1 $32.89 $15.03

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Alma, NE

Morning in Alma on Saturday

Local time

10:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Omaha, NE

Morning in Omaha on Saturday

Local time

10:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

29 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 15m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Alma, NE to Omaha, NE covers 234.9 miles and takes about 4h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, US 136, N-44. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 117.4 miles from Alma, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.91 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a straightforward 4h 15m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 52.2 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 231.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232 miles (Gerald R Ford Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Alma, NE to Omaha, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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