Origin
Hastings, NE
Afternoon in Hastings on Monday
Local time
12:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hastings, NE to Cozad, NE
Drive Time
1h 52m
Distance
99.3 mi
160 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 44m
★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hastings, NE
Angel Smith
Cozad, NE
Vladimir Srajber
Trip Overview
The drive from Hastings, NE to Cozad, NE covers 99.3 miles and takes about 1h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, West Highway 6, 40 Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 62.6 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.08 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
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
49.7 miles from Hastings, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 1h 52m highway drive covering 99.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and West Highway 6. The longest continuous stretch is about 62.6 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 23 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 62.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and West Highway 6. 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; US 6 Business / North Burlington Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 52m drive. You will face about 13 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; US 6 Business / North Burlington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 97.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 98.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 34; US 281; US 6 Business / North Burlington Avenue
Turn left onto US 34; US 281; US 6 Business / North Burlington Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
97.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward NE 21: Cozad
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 222
Toward NE 21: Cozad
5
98.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NE 21 North: Cozad
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NE 21 North: Cozad
7
99.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
|
N-21 / East 8th Street
Turn left onto N-21 / East 8th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
99.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
|
H Street
Turn right onto H Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 62.6 mi | 1h 2m |
| West Highway 6 | 16 mi | 18m |
| 40 Road | 6 mi | 8m |
| Senator Carl T. Curtis Drive | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Lowell Road | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| W Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| West 2nd Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| South Marian Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 62.6 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hastings, NE and Cozad, NE.
1
Start on US 6 Business
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
West 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto US 34; US 281; US 6 Business
333 ft
·
15 sec
·
North Burlington Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 6 Business
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West 2nd Street
4
Turn left onto South Marian Road
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Marian Road
5
Turn right onto US 6; US 34
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Highway 6
6
Enter roundabout onto US 6; US 34
134 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Highway 6
7
Continue on US 6; US 34
14 mi
·
16 min
·
West Highway 6
8
Continue on US 6; US 34
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Senator Carl T. Curtis Drive
9
Turn right onto Q Road
136 ft
·
6 sec
·
Q Road
10
Continue on Q Road
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Q Road
11
Turn right onto 40 Road
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
40 Road
12
Turn left onto W Road
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
W Road
13
Turn right onto Lowell Road
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Lowell Road
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
15
Merge onto I 80
63 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 80
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 222
Toward NE 21: Cozad
17
Keep slight right at fork
159 ft
·
5 sec
Toward NE 21 North: Cozad
18
Turn straight onto N-21
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Meridian Avenue
19
Continue on N-21
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
State Highway 21
20
Continue on N-21
433 ft
·
21 sec
·
E Street
21
Turn left onto N-21
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
East 8th Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto H Street
67 ft
·
2 sec
·
H Street
23
Arrive at destination
H 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 49.7 miles from Hastings, NE, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.6 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.7 miles or 1h 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cozad, 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 99.3 miles and 1h 52m.
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 I 80 for about 62.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.7 mi from Hastings, NE · 1h 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.7 miles from Hastings, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.6 miles.
Arriving in Cozad, NE
The final approach into Cozad, 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 Cozad, 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
$15.08 one way
$30.17 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $16.63 | $33.25 |
| premium | $4.80 | $18.75 | $37.49 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $22.06 | $44.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.43 | $4.77 |
| Efficient EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.69 | $3.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.7 | 0 | $13.90 | $6.36 |
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
Cozad, NE
Afternoon in Cozad on Monday
Local time
12:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°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
40 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
1h 52m 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 Cozad, NE covers 99.3 miles and takes about 1h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, West Highway 6, 40 Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.7 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 $15.08 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 1h 52m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 34; US 281; US 6 Business / North Burlington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 97.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 98.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Hastings, NE to Cozad, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Cozad, NE
More trips to Cozad, NE
Explore more options from Hastings, NE or browse trips ending in Cozad, NE.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NE road trips.
Explore maps for Hastings, NE or Cozad, NE on MapSof.net.