Origin
McCook, NE
Afternoon in McCook on Friday
Local time
2:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from McCook, NE to Beatrice, NE
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 16m
Distance
212.2 mi
342 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 4m
★
6 AM
4h 17m
8 AM
4h 43m
10 AM
4h 26m
12 PM
4h 23m
3 PM
4h 27m
5 PM
4h 42m
8 PM
4h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McCook, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Beatrice, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from McCook, NE to Beatrice, NE covers 212.2 miles and takes about 4h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 4, N-4, Highway 6 & 34 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 79.7 miles on Highway 4. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.18 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
106.1 miles from McCook, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 212.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 16m highway drive covering 212.2 miles, with most of the trip on Highway 4 and N-4. The longest continuous stretch is about 79.7 miles on Highway 4.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 4 is the longest continuous segment at about 79.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 4 and N-4. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East H Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 16m 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: at 0.2 miles (East H Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (East 11th Street): Navigation decision point; at 114.2 miles (US 281; N-4): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 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
|
East H Street
Turn right onto East H Street
Navigation decision point
4
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East 11th Street
Turn right onto East 11th Street
Navigation decision point
5
114.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
|
US 281; N-4
At end of road, turn left onto US 281; N-4
Navigation decision point
5
138 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
N-4; N-14 / Highway 14
At end of road, turn left onto N-4; N-14 / Highway 14
Navigation decision point
5
212.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 4 | 79.7 mi | 1h 32m |
| N-4 | 54.9 mi | 1h 3m |
| Highway 6 & 34 | 44.7 mi | 52m |
| Nasby Street | 8.6 mi | 11m |
| West Highway 4 | 8.6 mi | 11m |
| US 281 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| West Court Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| D Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Highway 4
— 79.7 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McCook, NE and Beatrice, NE.
1
Start on Norris Avenue
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Norris Avenue
2
Turn right onto East H Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East H Street
3
Turn right onto East 11th Street
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
East 11th Street
4
Turn left onto US 6; US 34
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East B Street
5
Continue on US 6; US 34
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Highway 6 & 34
6
Continue on US 6; US 34
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
D Street
7
Continue on US 6; US 34
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Highway 6 & 34
8
Continue on US 6; US 34
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Maple Street
9
Continue on US 6; US 34
6.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Highway 6 & 34
10
Continue on US 6; US 34
8.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Nasby Street
11
Continue on US 6; US 34
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6 & 34 Highway Street
12
Continue on US 6; US 34
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Highway 6 & 34
13
Continue on US 6; US 34
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Chestnut Street
14
Continue on US 6; US 34
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Highway 6 & 34
15
Turn right onto N-4
55 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
N-4
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 281; N-4
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
US 281; N-4
17
Turn right onto N-4
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Highway 4
18
Continue on N-4
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Street
19
Continue on N-4
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Highway 4
20
At end of road, turn left onto N-4; N-14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 14
21
Turn right onto N-4
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Highway 4
22
Turn left onto US 81; N-4
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 81; N-4
23
Turn right onto N-4
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Highway 4
24
Continue on N-4
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Francis Street
25
Continue on N-4
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Highway 4
26
Turn right onto N-4; N-15
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 15
27
Turn left onto N-4
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Highway 4
28
Continue on N-4
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
State Highway 4
29
Continue on N-4
8.6 mi
·
11 min
·
West Highway 4
30
Turn left onto US 136; N-4
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
West Court Street
31
Turn left onto North 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North 5th Street
32
Turn right
58 ft
·
6 sec
33
Turn right
348 ft
·
25 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 106.1 miles from McCook, NE, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.7 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 47 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.1 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beatrice, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving McCook, 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 McCook, NE
This is one driving day of about 212.2 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from McCook, 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 Highway 4 for about 79.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.1 mi from McCook, NE · 2h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.1 miles from McCook, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Highway 4 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.7 miles.
Arriving in Beatrice, NE
The final approach into Beatrice, 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 Beatrice, 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
$33.18 one way
$66.35 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.42 | $72.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.84 | $81.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.85 | $93.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.7 | 0 | $22.28 | $10.19 |
| Efficient EV | 53.1 | 0 | $18.57 | $8.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.9 | 1 | $29.71 | $13.58 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Beatrice, NE
Afternoon in Beatrice on Friday
Local time
2:14 PM
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
8 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
4h 16m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from McCook, NE to Beatrice, NE covers 212.2 miles and takes about 4h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 4, N-4, Highway 6 & 34. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.1 miles from McCook, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.18 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 16m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East H Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (East 11th Street): Navigation decision point; at 114.2 miles (US 281; N-4): Navigation decision point.
The route from McCook, NE to Beatrice, 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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