Origin
Grand Island, NE
Late night in Grand Island on Saturday
Local time
1:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Grand Island, NE to Alma, NE
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 58m
Distance
100.6 mi
162 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 50m
★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 15m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Island, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Alma, NE
Engin Akyurt
Trip Overview
The drive from Grand Island, NE to Alma, NE covers 100.6 miles and takes about 1h 58m 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 Highway 183, 2nd Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.8 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.73 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.
Midpoint
50.3 miles from Grand Island, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 100.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 58m highway drive covering 100.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and US Highway 183. The longest continuous stretch is about 40.8 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 19 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 40.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US Highway 183. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Walnut Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Grand Island, NE to Alma, NE is easy. At 1h 58m with 76% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 48 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.3 miles (US 6; US 34; N-44 / Highway 6): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Walnut Street
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
48 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
4
61.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
US 6; US 34; N-44 / Highway 6
Turn right onto US 6; US 34; N-44 / Highway 6
Navigation decision point
4
76.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
Arthur Street
Turn left onto Arthur Street
Navigation decision point
4
77.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
US 183 / Highway 281
At end of road, turn left onto US 183 / Highway 281
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Grand Island, NE to Alma, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Archway Monument along the way.
Archway Monument
48 mi in
|
~53m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 40.8 mi | 40m |
| US Highway 183 | 21.1 mi | 24m |
| 2nd Avenue | 12.9 mi | 15m |
| US Highway 6 & 34 | 9.6 mi | 11m |
| South Locust Street | 6.4 mi | 10m |
| Highway 6 | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| East Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| South East Avenue | 0.8 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 40.8 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Island, NE and Alma, NE.
1
Start on West 3rd Street
401 ft
·
24 sec
·
West 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Walnut Street
3
Continue on N-2 Business
6.4 mi
·
10 min
·
South Locust Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
5
Merge onto I 80
41 mi
·
40 min
·
I 80
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
7
Turn left onto N-44; I 80 Alt
13 mi
·
15 min
·
2nd Avenue
8
Turn right onto US 6; US 34; N-44
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Highway 6
9
Continue on US 6; US 34
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
US Highway 6 & 34
10
Continue on US 6; US 34
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue
11
Turn left onto Arthur Street
319 ft
·
14 sec
·
Arthur Street
12
Continue on Railroad Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Railroad Street
13
Turn left onto East Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Avenue
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 183
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Highway 281
15
Continue on US 183
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
South East Avenue
16
Continue on US 183
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 183
17
Turn left onto US 136
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
West 7th Street
18
Turn right onto John Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
John Street
19
Arrive at destination
John Street
Trip Plan
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 50.3 miles from Grand Island, NE, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.8 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.3 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alma, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Grand Island, NE so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Grand Island, NE
This is one driving day of about 100.6 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Grand Island, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 40.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.3 mi from Grand Island, NE · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.3 miles from Grand Island, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Alma, NE
The final approach into Alma, NE usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.73 one way
$31.46 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $17.27 | $34.54 |
| premium | $4.89 | $19.36 | $38.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.21 | $44.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.56 | $4.83 |
| Efficient EV | 25.2 | 0 | $8.80 | $4.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.08 | $6.44 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Alma, NE
Late night in Alma on Saturday
Local time
1:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°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
3 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
1h 58m 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 Grand Island, NE to Alma, NE covers 100.6 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, US Highway 183, 2nd Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 50.3 miles from Grand Island, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.73 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 Grand Island, NE to Alma, NE is easy. At 1h 58m with 76% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 48 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.3 miles (US 6; US 34; N-44 / Highway 6): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Grand Island, NE to Alma, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Archway Monument along the way.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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