The drive from Beatrice, NE to Wayne, NE covers 162.4 miles and takes about 3h 18m 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 79, Highway 77 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27.1 miles on Highway 275.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.39 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.2 miles from Beatrice, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 162.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 18m highway drive covering 162.4 miles, with most of the trip on Highway 275 and Highway 79. The longest continuous stretch is about 27.1 miles on Highway 275.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 50 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 275 is the longest continuous segment at about 27.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 275 and Highway 79. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort6/10
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 162.4 miles you will encounter 21 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (US 77 / North 6th Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 27.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 77 / North 6th Street
Turn sharp left onto US 77 / North 6th Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
27.9 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward NE 33, NE 55F Spur: Roca, Crete
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NE 33, NE 55F Spur: Roca, Crete
6
43 mi into trip|~53m in|US 77
Keep slight right at fork onto US 77 toward I 80 East, US 77 North: Omaha, Lincoln Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 East, US 77 North: Omaha, Lincoln A...
6
96.9 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|US 30 / Highway 30
Turn sharp left onto US 30 / Highway 30
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Beatrice, NE and Wayne, NE, road signs point toward Crete and Lincoln Airport.
Crete
27.9 mi in|~33m
Lincoln Airport
43 mi in|~53m|via US 77
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 275
27.1 mi
31m
Highway 79
17.8 mi
20m
Highway 77
16.3 mi
18m
Highway 15
14.2 mi
16m
County Road 27
13 mi
14m
County Road 28
9.2 mi
10m
Northwest 56th Street
6.6 mi
7m
South 12th Street
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Highway 275
— 27.1 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beatrice, NE and Wayne, NE.
1
Start on this road
37 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right
62 ft·11 sec
3
Turn sharp left onto US 77
2.8 mi·5 min·North 6th Street
4
Continue on US 77
16 mi·18 min·Highway 77
5
Continue on US 77
3.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 77
6
Continue on US 77
5.0 mi·5 min·South 12th Street
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward NE 33, NE 55F Spur: Roca, Crete
8
Turn left onto N-33; S-55F
2.1 mi·2 min·Roca Road
9
Turn right onto Southwest 14th Street
3.0 mi·4 min·Southwest 14th Street
10
Continue on Southwest 12th Street
3.0 mi·4 min·Southwest 12th Street
11
Turn right onto West Denton Road
1.1 mi·1 min·West Denton Road
12
Turn left onto US 77
0.7 mi·52 sec·US Highway 77
13
Continue on US 77
4.7 mi·5 min·Homestead Expressway
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 77
0.5 mi·44 sec·US 77
Toward I 80 East, US 77 North: Omaha, Lincoln Airport
15
Merge onto I 80; US 77
3.4 mi·3 min·I 80; US 77
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 34 West
17
Merge onto I 180; US 34
0.1 mi·7 sec·I 180; US 34
18
Turn straight onto I 180; US 34
3.0 mi·3 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
1.6 mi·2 min·West US Highway 34
20
Turn right onto N-79
6.6 mi·7 min·Northwest 56th Street
21
Continue on N-79
4.8 mi·5 min·Nebraska Highway 79
22
Continue on N-79
1.0 mi·1 min·Highway 79
23
Continue on N-79
1.1 mi·1 min·County Road 28
24
Continue on N-79
0.9 mi·1 min·Cedar Street
25
Continue on N-79
8.1 mi·9 min·County Road 28
26
Turn right onto N-79; N-92
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road K
27
Turn left onto N-79
13 mi·14 min·County Road 27
28
Turn straight onto N-79
1.8 mi·2 min·County Road X
29
Turn straight onto N-79
3.9 mi·4 min·County Road 25
30
Continue on N-79
0.7 mi·52 sec·Highway 79
31
Continue on N-79
0.8 mi·1 min·South Main Street
32
Continue on N-79
0.9 mi·1 min·Highway 79
33
Merge onto US 30; N-79
0.2 mi·15 sec·Highway 30
34
Take the exit onto N-79
177 ft·12 sec·N-79
35
Turn sharp left onto US 30
0.2 mi·20 sec·Highway 30
36
Turn right onto N-79
15 mi·17 min·Highway 79
37
Continue on N-79
0.5 mi·35 sec·Range Line Street
38
Turn right onto N-91
0.4 mi·47 sec·4th Street
39
Continue on N-91
3.8 mi·4 min·Highway 91
40
Turn left onto US 275
8.7 mi·9 min·Highway 275
41
Continue on US 275
1.8 mi·2 min·South Lincoln Street
42
Continue on US 275
7.0 mi·7 min·Highway 275
43
Continue on US 275
0.9 mi·1 min·Front Street
44
Continue on US 275
5.9 mi·7 min·Highway 275
45
Continue on US 275
0.5 mi·1 min·E Avenue East
46
Continue on US 275
0.5 mi·1 min·Avenue E West
47
Continue on US 275
5.5 mi·6 min·Highway 275
48
Turn right onto N-15
14 mi·16 min·Highway 15
49
Continue on N-15
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
50
Arrive at destination
N-15
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 81.2 miles from Beatrice, NE, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.1 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 36 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.2 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wayne, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Beatrice, 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 Beatrice, NE
This is one driving day of about 162.4 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Beatrice, 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 Highway 275 for about 27.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.2 mi from Beatrice, NE
· 1h 39m into the drive
The midpoint is around 81.2 miles from Beatrice, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Wayne, NE
The final approach into Wayne, 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 Wayne, NE.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Homestead National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Homestead Act of 1862 transformed the world. Millions were invited to file claims including families, women, immigrants, and formerly enslaved people. Over 10 percent of the United States was home...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.39 one way
$50.78 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.88
$55.75
premium
$4.89
$31.25
$62.50
diesel
$5.61
$35.86
$71.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.7
0
$17.05
$7.80
Efficient EV
40.6
0
$14.21
$6.50
EV Truck/SUV
65
0
$22.74
$10.39
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Beatrice, NE
Late night
in Beatrice on Friday
Local time
4:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wayne, NE
Late night
in Wayne on Friday
Local time
4:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
28 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
3h 18m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Beatrice, NE to Wayne, NE covers 162.4 miles and takes about 3h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 275, Highway 79, Highway 77. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.2 miles from Beatrice, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.39 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 162.4 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (US 77 / North 6th Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 27.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Beatrice, NE and Wayne, NE, road signs point toward Crete and Lincoln Airport.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Homestead National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
