Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
14m
Distance
9.4 mi
15 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Boys Town, NE
WoodysMedia
The drive from Boys Town, NE to Waterloo, NE covers 9.4 miles and takes about 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Dodge Road, River Road Drive, Norton Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 6.5 miles on West Dodge Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $1.47 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
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
4.7 miles from Boys Town, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6m into the drive .
Expect a 14m drive with frequent turns across 9.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Norton Drive.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 14m drive. You will face about 10 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 (Norton Drive): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.3 miles (Norton Drive): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.4 miles (North 144th Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout onto Norton Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto Norton Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
At end of road, turn right onto North 144th Street
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 6 / West Dodge Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Dodge Road | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| River Road Drive | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Norton Drive | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| North 228th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Front Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North 144th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Dowd Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Boys Town, NE and Waterloo, NE.
Start on Dowd Drive
Enter roundabout onto Norton Drive
Continue on Norton Drive
Enter roundabout onto Norton Drive
Continue on Norton Drive
At end of road, turn right onto North 144th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 6
Take the exit
Turn right onto North 228th Street
Continue on River Road Drive
Continue on South Front Street
Turn right onto 3rd Street
Turn right onto North Front Street
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 9 miles or 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.7 miles or 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterloo, NE than in the middle of the route.
Have your navigation ready before leaving Boys Town, NE.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Boys Town, NE
This is one driving day of about 9.4 miles and 14m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.7 mi from Boys Town, NE · 6m into the drive
A short stop after about 9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 4.7 miles from Boys Town, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Waterloo, NE if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$1.47 one way
$2.94 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $1.61 | $3.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $1.81 | $3.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.08 | $4.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.8 | 0 | $0.99 | $0.45 |
| Efficient EV | 2.4 | 0 | $0.82 | $0.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.32 | $0.60 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Boys Town on Wednesday
Local time
3:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Afternoon in Waterloo on Wednesday
Local time
3:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
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.
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