Hickman, NE to Norfolk, NE is 137 miles and takes about 2h 49m via Howard Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, moving from one part of Nebraska to another. Expect a local, turn-heavy experience rather than a fast highway cruise. With a short duration and minimal stops recommended, this trip is ideal for a single-day journey when you want to get from point A to point B efficiently within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
68.5 miles from Hickman, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 137 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with only a 9% highway share. You'll spend most of your time navigating local roads, including Howard Boulevard, A Road, and 31 Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 44.2 miles on Howard Boulevard, indicating a fairly consistent but not high-speed journey. Be prepared for more frequent turns and adjustments rather than long periods of straight-line driving on major interstates.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Howard Boulevard is the longest continuous segment at about 44.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Chestnut Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 49m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chestnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Chestnut Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5 miles (South 70th Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Chestnut Street
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|Chestnut Street
Enter roundabout onto Chestnut Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
5 mi into trip|~7m in|South 70th Street
Keep slight right at fork onto South 70th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
5.4 mi into trip|~8m in|South 70th Street
Enter roundabout onto South 70th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
7.5 mi into trip|~11m in|South 70th Street
Enter roundabout onto South 70th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Howard Boulevard
44.2 mi
49m
A Road
16.5 mi
20m
31 Road
12.2 mi
14m
23 Road
10 mi
11m
O Road
9 mi
10m
Northwest 56th Street
6.6 mi
7m
South 10th Street
6 mi
10m
Nebraska Parkway
5 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Howard Boulevard
— 44.2 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hickman, NE and Norfolk, NE.
1
Start on East 2nd Street
45 ft·4 sec·East 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
0.4 mi·51 sec·Chestnut Street
3
Enter roundabout onto Chestnut Street
103 ft·2 sec·Chestnut Street
4
Continue on Chestnut Street
0.5 mi·52 sec·Chestnut Street
5
Continue on South 68th Street
3.9 mi·5 min·South 68th Street
6
Continue on South 68th Street;South 70th Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 68th Street;South 70th Street
Toward NE 2 West
7
Keep slight right at fork onto South 70th Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South 70th Street
8
Enter roundabout onto South 70th Street
217 ft·4 sec·South 70th Street
9
Continue on South 70th Street
0.4 mi·45 sec·South 70th Street
10
Enter roundabout onto South 70th Street
105 ft·2 sec·South 70th Street
11
Continue on South 70th Street
1.6 mi·2 min·South 70th Street
12
Enter roundabout onto South 70th Street
120 ft·4 sec·South 70th Street
13
Continue on South 70th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·South 70th Street
14
Enter roundabout onto South 70th Street
128 ft·2 sec·South 70th Street
15
Continue on South 70th Street
0.3 mi·36 sec·South 70th Street
16
Turn left onto Nebraska Parkway
5.0 mi·8 min·Nebraska Parkway
17
Continue on South 10th Street
6.0 mi·10 min·South 10th Street
18
Turn straight onto I 180; US 34
3.0 mi·3 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
1.6 mi·2 min·West US Highway 34
20
Turn right onto N-79
6.6 mi·7 min·Northwest 56th Street
21
Continue on N-79
4.8 mi·5 min·Nebraska Highway 79
22
Continue on N-79
1.0 mi·1 min·Highway 79
23
Continue on N-79
1.1 mi·1 min·County Road 28
24
Turn left onto N-66
0.3 mi·34 sec·South Street
25
Continue on N-66
3.7 mi·4 min·County Road B
26
Continue on N-66
10.0 mi·11 min·23 Road
27
Turn right onto N-15
9.0 mi·10 min·O Road
28
Turn left onto N-15; N-92
2.3 mi·2 min·32 Road
29
Turn straight onto N-92
12 mi·14 min·31 Road
30
Turn right onto US 81
16 mi·20 min·A Road
31
Turn left onto 14th Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·14th Street
32
Turn slight right onto Howard Boulevard
0.9 mi·1 min·Howard Boulevard
33
Turn left onto US 81
43 mi·47 min·Howard Boulevard
34
Turn right onto West Pasewalk Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Pasewalk Avenue
35
Enter roundabout onto South 7th Street
135 ft·3 sec·South 7th Street
36
Continue on South 7th Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·South 7th Street
37
Arrive at destination
South 7th Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 49m duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $22, you can plan for minimal interruptions. Pay attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route; staying alert to road signs and navigation will be key. The longest stretch is just over 44 miles, so you won't be without opportunities to adjust or refuel if needed, but it's wise to ensure your tank is sufficiently full before departing Hickman.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.5 miles from Hickman, NE, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.2 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 30 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.5 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norfolk, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hickman, 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 Hickman, NE
This is one driving day of about 137 miles and 2h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Hickman, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Howard Boulevard for about 44.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.5 mi from Hickman, NE
· 1h 30m into the drive
The midpoint is around 68.5 miles from Hickman, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Norfolk, NE
The final approach into Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, NE.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Homestead National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Homestead Act of 1862 transformed the world. Millions were invited to file claims including families, women, immigrants, and formerly enslaved people. Over 10 percent of the United States was home...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.1
0
$14.39
$6.58
Efficient EV
34.3
0
$11.99
$5.48
EV Truck/SUV
54.8
0
$19.18
$8.77
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Hickman, NE
Morning
in Hickman on Saturday
Local time
11:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Norfolk, NE
Morning
in Norfolk on Saturday
Local time
11:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
29 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
2h 49m 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 Hickman, NE to Norfolk, NE covers 137 miles and takes about 2h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Howard Boulevard, A Road, 31 Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.5 miles from Hickman, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.42 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 49m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chestnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Chestnut Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5 miles (South 70th Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Hickman, NE to Norfolk, 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
