Origin
Grand Island, NE
Evening in Grand Island on Friday
Local time
6:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Grand Island, NE to Ashland, NE
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 10m
Distance
119 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 1m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Island, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Ashland, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a transit across the Great Plains, this 119-mile journey from Grand Island to Ashland is a straightforward option for your itinerary. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 10 minutes behind the wheel, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip that requires no overnight stops. Your fuel budget for the trek should be approximately $18, keeping costs manageable for a solo traveler or a small group. Navigating through local roads like North Walnut Street, South Locust Street, and East Fonner Park Road, you will stay entirely off the interstate system. Because this route stays within the Nebraska region, you can anticipate a consistent landscape throughout the drive. It is a practical route for those who prefer local roads over high-speed highway travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.5 miles from Grand Island, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 119 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention compared to a standard interstate cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, you will be navigating surface streets rather than open, high-speed lanes. The road's personality is defined by its local character, requiring you to navigate various turns as you transition between Grand Island and Ashland. Because there are no designated stops on this specific route, you should be prepared to handle the entire 2-hour and 10-minute duration in one go. The lack of highway miles means you will experience a more intimate look at the local infrastructure rather than a monotonous, high-speed grind.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Walnut Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Grand Island, NE to Ashland, NE is easy. At 2h 10m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Grand Island, NE to Ashland, NE is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Walnut Street | — | — |
| South Locust Street | — | — |
| East Fonner Park Road | — | — |
| South Stuhr Road | — | — |
| Highway 34 | — | — |
| Highway 2 | — | — |
| I 80 east | — | — |
| NE 63 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Walnut Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Island, NE and Ashland, NE.
1
Start on West 3rd Street
400 ft
·
25 sec
·
West 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Walnut Street
3
Continue on South Locust Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Locust Street
4
Turn left onto East Fonner Park Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Fonner Park Road
5
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Stuhr Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Stuhr Road
6
Turn left onto Highway 34
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 34
7
Turn right onto Highway 2
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 2
8
Take the ramp left toward I 80 east
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 80 east
9
Merge slight left
102 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
10
Take the exit slight right toward NE 63: Ashland, Greenwood
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
NE 63: Ashland, Greenwood
11
Turn left onto 238th Street
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
238th Street
12
Turn right onto Highway 6
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 6
13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Highway 66
226 ft
·
4 sec
·
Highway 66
14
Exit the roundabout onto Highway 66
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Highway 66
15
Continue on South 14th Street
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South 14th Street
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip of 119 miles, you have significant flexibility with your departure time to avoid local traffic. Ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as the $18 estimated cost is based on a direct run without side excursions. Because the route relies on local roads rather than highways, keep a close eye on your navigation for the turns along North Walnut and South Locust Streets. Given that there are no planned stops, pack enough water and snacks to keep yourself comfortable for the full 2-hour and 10-minute drive. My best advice for this specific path is to double-check your route map before departing Grand Island, as the turn-heavy nature of these local roads can be tricky to navigate if you aren't paying close attention.
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 59.5 miles from Grand Island, NE, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
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 26 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.5 miles or 1h 5m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashland, 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.
+
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 Grand Island, NE
This is one driving day of about 119 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Grand Island, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.5 mi from Grand Island, NE · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.5 miles from Grand Island, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ashland, NE
The final approach into Ashland, 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 Ashland, 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
$18.60 one way
$37.21 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.43 | $40.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.90 | $45.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.27 | $52.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.49 | $5.71 |
| Efficient EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.41 | $4.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.66 | $7.62 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Ashland, NE
Evening in Ashland on Friday
Local time
6:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Lincoln, NE
60 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
3 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
2h 10m 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 Ashland, NE covers 119 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Walnut Street, South Locust Street, East Fonner Park Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.5 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 $18.60 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 Ashland, NE is easy. At 2h 10m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Grand Island, NE to Ashland, NE is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Grand Island, NE to Ashland, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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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