Origin
Fairbury, NE
Evening in Fairbury on Sunday
Local time
5:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairbury, NE to Beatrice, NE
Drive Time
40m
Distance
28.1 mi
45 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 37m
★
6 AM
0h 40m
8 AM
0h 47m
10 AM
0h 43m
12 PM
0h 42m
3 PM
0h 43m
5 PM
0h 47m
8 PM
0h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairbury, NE
Tom Fisk
Beatrice, NE
Jean-Paul Wettstein
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion across the Great Plains, the 28.1-mile journey from Fairbury to Beatrice is an efficient choice. You can easily complete this drive in about 40 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, it is a very budget-friendly transit between these two Nebraska communities. The route follows a straightforward path primarily via Highway 136, keeping your travel time minimal. Because the distance is so short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your schedule around your actual destination rather than the road itself. Whether you are commuting or just exploring the local region, this straightforward connection offers a reliable way to get from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
14 miles from Fairbury, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience as you navigate this 28.1-mile stretch. With roughly 85 percent of your trip spent on highways, you will find yourself moving along at a steady pace for most of the drive. The road is defined by its efficiency, featuring a notable 14.8-mile uninterrupted segment along Highway 136 that allows for consistent driving. As you transition from the highway onto West Court Street, the environment shifts slightly toward your destination. You won't encounter the monotony of a long-haul interstate, nor will you have to worry about complex technical roads, making this a comfortable drive for any skill level.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 136 is the longest continuous segment at about 14.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 136 and West US Highway 136. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near N-15 / K Street.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Fairbury, NE to Beatrice, NE is easy. At 40m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (N-15 / K Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (US 136 / 14th Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.8 miles (North 5th Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
N-15 / K Street
Turn left onto N-15 / K Street
Navigation decision point
3
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 136 / 14th Street
Turn right onto US 136 / 14th Street
Navigation decision point
4
27.8 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
North 5th Street
Turn left onto North 5th Street
Navigation decision point
4
28 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
28 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 136 | 14.8 mi | 19m |
| West US Highway 136 | 9.1 mi | 11m |
| West Court Street | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| South Reed Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| K Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 6th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North 5th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 14th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Highway 136
— 14.8 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbury, NE and Beatrice, NE.
1
Start on 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Street
2
Turn left onto N-15
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
K Street
3
Turn right onto US 136
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
14th Street
4
Continue on US 136
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 136
5
Continue on US 136
9.1 mi
·
11 min
·
West US Highway 136
6
Continue on US 136
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Reed Street
7
Continue on US 136
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Court Street
8
Turn left onto North 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North 5th Street
9
Turn right
58 ft
·
6 sec
10
Turn right
348 ft
·
25 sec
11
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 40-minute trip, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever it suits your plans without needing to worry about mid-route fatigue. You won't need to schedule any formal stops, as the entire distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that since you are primarily on Highway 136, you should stay alert for typical regional highway traffic patterns. Budgeting $4 for fuel should be plenty for this quick run, but it is always wise to ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Fairbury. Use the simplicity of this route to your benefit by keeping your travel itinerary flexible and stress-free.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 14 miles from Fairbury, NE, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.8 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 28.1 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beatrice, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairbury, 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 Fairbury, NE
This is one driving day of about 28.1 miles and 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fairbury, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Highway 136 for about 14.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14 mi from Fairbury, NE · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 28.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14 miles from Fairbury, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Beatrice, NE
The final approach into Beatrice, 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 Beatrice, NE.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.27 one way
$8.54 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $4.71 | $9.41 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.30 | $10.61 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.24 | $12.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.95 | $1.35 |
| Efficient EV | 7 | 0 | $2.46 | $1.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.2 | 0 | $3.93 | $1.80 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Beatrice, NE
Evening in Beatrice on Sunday
Local time
5:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
43°F
Lincoln, NE
14 mi in
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
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
40m 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 Fairbury, NE to Beatrice, NE covers 28.1 miles and takes about 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 136, West US Highway 136, West Court Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14 miles from Fairbury, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.27 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Fairbury, NE to Beatrice, NE is easy. At 40m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (N-15 / K Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (US 136 / 14th Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.8 miles (North 5th Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Fairbury, NE to Beatrice, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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