Origin
Bellevue, NE
Evening in Bellevue on Sunday
Local time
5:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bellevue, NE to Hartington, NE
Drive Time
3h 5m
Distance
161.9 mi
261 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 54m
★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellevue, NE
Armin Forster
Hartington, NE
David Roberts
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Bellevue to Hartington, you are looking at a 161.9-mile journey across Nebraska’s Great Plains. Spanning approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes of total drive time, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion. You will primarily utilize I-29, I-129, and Highway 57 to navigate between these two points. Budgeting about $25 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Because the drive is straightforward and relatively short, you do not need to worry about splitting this into an overnight trip unless you prefer a slower pace. It serves as a reliable, highway-focused connection through the heart of the state.
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
80.9 miles from Bellevue, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive dominated by high-speed transit, as 97% of your travel takes place on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-29, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 101.4 miles. This creates a consistent, interstate-focused experience that allows for steady progress across the plains. As you transition from the interstate onto Highway 57, the character of the road shifts from multi-lane highway driving to a more localized experience. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a predictable, efficient ride that prioritizes speed and directness over technical, winding mountain-style roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 101.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 29 and I 129. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Mission Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 5m 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: near the start (East Mission Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles (I 29; US 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.7 miles (US 75 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Mission Avenue
Turn left onto East Mission Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
4.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 29; US 275
Merge onto I 29; US 275
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
105.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
|
US 75 Business
Take the exit onto US 75 Business toward I 129 West, US 20 West, US 75 South: South Sioux City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 129 West, US 20 West, US 75 South: Sou...
5
106.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
|
I 129; US 20; US 75
Merge onto I 129; US 20; US 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
161.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m in
|
North Broadway Street
Turn right onto North Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 101.4 mi | 1h 50m |
| I 129 | 37.2 mi | 43m |
| Highway 57 | 11.2 mi | 12m |
| Highway 59 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| Bunge Avenue | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| South Robinson Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Mission Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 75 Business | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 29
— 101.4 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellevue, NE and Hartington, NE.
1
Start on Main Street
73 ft
·
7 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto East Mission Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Mission Avenue
3
Continue on CR H10
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Bellevue Bridge
4
Continue on CR H10
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Bunge Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
6
Merge onto I 29; US 275
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 29; US 275
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on I 29; US 6
93 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
I 29; US 6
Toward I 29 North: Sioux City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 75 Business
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
US 75 Business
Toward I 129 West, US 20 West, US 75 South: South Sioux City
9
Merge onto I 129; US 20; US 75
37 mi
·
43 min
·
I 129; US 20; US 75
Use the none lane.
10
Turn slight right onto N-59
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Highway 59
11
Turn right onto N-57
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Highway 57
12
Continue on N-57
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Robinson Avenue
13
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
·
West Main Street
14
Turn right onto North Broadway Street
40 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Broadway Street
15
Arrive at destination
North Broadway Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 5-minute trek, aim to depart early in the day to avoid potential traffic fluctuations on the interstate sections. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that time to stretch your legs and refresh your fuel supply, keeping your $25 budget in mind. Being a highway-heavy route, maintain a steady pace during the long 101.4-mile stretch on I-29 to stay on schedule. The flexibility of this drive means you don't need a rigid itinerary, so feel free to adjust your single stop based on your personal energy levels. Always double-check your tire pressure before leaving Bellevue, as the high-speed highway segments demand a well-maintained vehicle for the smoothest experience.
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 80.9 miles from Bellevue, NE, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.4 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.9 miles or 1h 30m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hartington, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bellevue, 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 Bellevue, NE
This is one driving day of about 161.9 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bellevue, 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 29 for about 101.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.9 mi from Bellevue, NE · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.9 miles from Bellevue, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.4 miles.
Arriving in Hartington, NE
The final approach into Hartington, 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 Hartington, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.59 one way
$49.18 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $27.11 | $54.22 |
| premium | $4.80 | $30.56 | $61.13 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.97 | $71.94 |
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: 56.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.6 | 0 | $17.00 | $7.77 |
| Efficient EV | 40.5 | 0 | $14.17 | $6.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.67 | $10.36 |
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.
Destination
Hartington, NE
Evening in Hartington on Sunday
Local time
5:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
26 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 5m 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 Bellevue, NE to Hartington, NE covers 161.9 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 29, I 129, Highway 57. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.9 miles from Bellevue, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.59 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 is a straightforward 3h 5m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Mission Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles (I 29; US 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.7 miles (US 75 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Bellevue, NE to Hartington, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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