Origin
Hastings, NE
Evening in Hastings on Thursday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hastings, NE to Waverly, NE
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 9m
Distance
117.4 mi
189 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 1m
★
6 AM
2h 10m
8 AM
2h 28m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 17m
5 PM
2h 27m
8 PM
2h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hastings, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Waverly, NE
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
The drive from Hastings, NE to Waverly, NE covers 117.4 miles and takes about 2h 9m 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 281, Highway 281 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 97.3 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.35 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
58.7 miles from Hastings, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 117.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 9m highway drive covering 117.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and US Highway 281. The longest continuous stretch is about 97.3 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 11 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 97.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US Highway 281. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 34; US 281 / North Burlington Avenue.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Hastings, NE to Waverly, NE is easy. At 2h 9m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 16.8 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
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
5
16.4 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward I 80 east
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 80 east
3
16.8 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
114.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 6: East Lincoln, Waverly
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6: East Lincoln, Waverly
5
117.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
|
Kenilworth Street
Turn right onto Kenilworth Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 97.3 mi | 1h 41m |
| US Highway 281 | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Highway 281 | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| US Highway 6 | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| North Burlington Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West 3rd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North 141st Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Kenilworth Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 97.3 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hastings, NE and Waverly, NE.
1
Start on US 6 Business
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
West 3rd Street
2
Turn right onto US 34; US 281
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Burlington Avenue
3
Continue on US 34; US 281
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Highway 281
4
Continue on US 34; US 281
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
US Highway 281
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 80 east
6
Merge onto I 80
97 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
I 80
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 6: East Lincoln, Waverly
8
Turn right onto US 6; I 80 Alt
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
US Highway 6
9
Turn left onto North 141st Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
North 141st Street
10
Turn right onto Kenilworth Street
359 ft
·
15 sec
·
Kenilworth Street
11
Arrive at destination
Kenilworth 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 58.7 miles from Hastings, NE, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.3 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.7 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waverly, 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 117.4 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Hastings, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 97.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.7 mi from Hastings, NE · 1h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 58.7 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 97.3 miles.
Arriving in Waverly, NE
The final approach into Waverly, 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 Waverly, 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
$18.35 one way
$36.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.15 | $40.30 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.59 | $45.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.92 | $51.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.33 | $5.64 |
| Efficient EV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.27 | $4.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47 | 0 | $16.44 | $7.51 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Waverly, NE
Evening in Waverly on Thursday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
York, NE
59 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
29 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 9m 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 Waverly, NE covers 117.4 miles and takes about 2h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, US Highway 281, 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 58.7 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 $18.35 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 Hastings, NE to Waverly, NE is easy. At 2h 9m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 34; US 281 / North Burlington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 16.8 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from Hastings, NE to Waverly, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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