Trip from Hastings, NE to Burwell, NE

Drive Time

2h 10m

Distance

106 mi

171 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

2h 1m ★

6 AM

2h 10m

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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Hastings, NE

Angel Smith

Burwell, NE

Quang Nguyen Vinh

Trip Overview

If you are looking for a straightforward journey across the Nebraska Great Plains, the 106-mile trek from Hastings to Burwell is a solid choice. You can easily complete this trip in about 2 hours and 10 minutes, making it a perfect one-day excursion. Budget roughly $16 for fuel to cover the distance, which is primarily highway-focused. Because the drive is short, you do not need to worry about overnight logistics, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule. Staying within the same region ensures a consistent landscape as you travel north. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.

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

53 miles from Hastings, NE

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a focused drive that relies heavily on major thoroughfares, with 95% of your travel taking place on highways. You will primarily navigate via US Highway 281, North Highway 281, and Highway 11. The longest uninterrupted stretch lasts for 49.9 miles on Highway 11, providing a steady rhythm for your cruise. Because this is not an interstate grind, you can enjoy a more typical two-lane highway experience through the heart of the state. The road remains consistent, offering a reliable path that avoids technical or complicated local detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Highway 11 is the longest continuous segment at about 49.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 11 and North Highway 281. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 34; US 281 / North Burlington Avenue.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 10m 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: at 0.2 miles (US 34; US 281 / North Burlington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 52.6 miles (N-11 / Highway 11): Navigation decision point; at 88.4 miles (N-11; N-70 / L Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 34; US 281 / North Burlington Avenue

Turn right onto US 34; US 281 / North Burlington Avenue

Navigation decision point

52.6 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | N-11 / Highway 11

Turn right onto N-11 / Highway 11

Navigation decision point

88.4 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in | N-11; N-70 / L Street

Turn left onto N-11; N-70 / L Street

Navigation decision point

89.3 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in | N-11 / Highway 11

Turn right onto N-11 / Highway 11

Navigation decision point

106 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in | South 7th Avenue

Turn right onto South 7th Avenue

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Highway 11	49.9 mi	58m
North Highway 281	18.7 mi	20m
US Highway 281	13.1 mi	14m
Highway 281	13 mi	18m
Highway 92	5.5 mi	7m
North Burlington Avenue	1.1 mi	2m
2nd Street	1.1 mi	1m
L Street	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Highway 11 — 49.9 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hastings, NE and Burwell, NE.

Start on US 6 Business

0.2 mi · 32 sec · West 3rd Street

Turn right onto US 34; US 281

1.1 mi · 2 min · North Burlington Avenue

Continue on US 34; US 281

6.8 mi · 9 min · Highway 281

Continue on US 34; US 281

13 mi · 14 min · US Highway 281

Continue on US 281; N-2; I 80 Alt

4.3 mi · 6 min · Highway 281

Continue on US 281

1.9 mi · 2 min · Highway 281

Turn left onto US 281

19 mi · 20 min · North Highway 281

Continue on US 281; N-92

1.1 mi · 1 min · 2nd Street

Turn left onto N-92

5.5 mi · 7 min · Highway 92

Turn right onto N-11

23 mi · 26 min · Highway 11

Continue on N-11

0.7 mi · 1 min · 1st Street

Continue on N-11

12 mi · 13 min · Highway 11

Continue on N-11

0.4 mi · 48 sec · South 14th Street

Turn left onto N-11; N-70

0.9 mi · 1 min · L Street

Turn right onto N-11

15 mi · 17 min · Highway 11

Turn left onto N-91

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Highway 91

Turn right onto 466 Avenue

0.5 mi · 41 sec · 466 Avenue

Continue on South 8th Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · South 8th Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto South Grand Avenue

354 ft · 11 sec · South Grand Avenue

Turn right onto G Street

358 ft · 12 sec · G Street

Turn right onto South 7th Avenue

155 ft · 6 sec · South 7th Avenue

Arrive at destination

South 7th Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable drive, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that fits your personal pace without feeling rushed. With no mandatory stops required to reach Burwell, you can decide whether to push straight through or take a break depending on your energy levels. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will be around $16, so checking your levels before leaving Hastings is a smart move. Given the 95% highway share, stay alert for changing speed limits as you transition between the different highway sections. Utilize the flexibility of this short trip to enjoy a stress-free transition from the Great Plains to your final 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.

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 53 miles from Hastings, NE, or about 1h 6m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.9 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 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 53 miles or 1h 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 1h 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burwell, NE than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Hastings, 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 Hastings, NE

This is one driving day of about 106 miles and 2h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hastings, 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 11 for about 49.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 53 mi from Hastings, NE · 1h 6m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Grand Island, NE

53 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

Grand Island, NE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grand Island, NE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53 miles from Hastings, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Burwell, NE

The final approach into Burwell, 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 Burwell, 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

$16.10 one way

$32.20 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$17.75	$35.50
premium	$4.80	$20.01	$40.02
diesel	$5.64	$23.55	$47.10

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: 37.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	31.8	$11.13	$5.09
Efficient EV	26.5	$9.27	$4.24
EV Truck/SUV	42.4	$14.84	$6.78

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Hastings, NE

Evening in Hastings on Sunday

Local time

6:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Burwell, NE

Evening in Burwell on Sunday

Local time

6:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°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 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 Hastings, NE to Burwell, NE covers 106 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 Highway 11, North Highway 281, US Highway 281. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 53 miles from Hastings, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.10 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.

This is a straightforward 2h 10m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The route from Hastings, NE to Burwell, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.