Origin
Norfolk, NE
Late night in Norfolk on Wednesday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Norfolk, NE to Cambridge, NE
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 30m
Distance
230.7 mi
371 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 17m
★
6 AM
4h 31m
8 AM
4h 58m
10 AM
4h 40m
12 PM
4h 38m
3 PM
4h 42m
5 PM
4h 56m
8 PM
4h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norfolk, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Cambridge, NE
Ernie Marquez
Trip Overview
The drive from Norfolk, NE to Cambridge, NE covers 230.7 miles and takes about 4h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 30, I 80, South 13th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 43.8 miles on Highway 30. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.07 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
115.3 miles from Norfolk, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 4h 30m highway drive covering 230.7 miles, with most of the trip on Highway 30 and I 80. The longest continuous stretch is about 43.8 miles on Highway 30.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 43.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 30 and I 80. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West Pasewalk Avenue.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 30m 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 (West Pasewalk Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.6 miles (US 81 / South 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 107.4 miles (US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt / Highway 34): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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
|
West Pasewalk Avenue
Enter roundabout onto West Pasewalk Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
3
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 81 / South 13th Street
Turn left onto US 81 / South 13th Street
Navigation decision point
4
107.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt / Highway 34
Turn right onto US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt / Highway 34
Navigation decision point
5
155.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
4
168.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
|
US 6; US 34; N-44 / Highway 6
Turn right onto US 6; US 34; N-44 / Highway 6
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Norfolk, NE to Cambridge, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Archway Monument along the way.
Archway Monument
155.1 mi in
|
~2h 57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 30 | 43.8 mi | 52m |
| I 80 | 40.8 mi | 40m |
| South 13th Street | 39.2 mi | 42m |
| Highway 6 & 34 | 34.9 mi | 40m |
| US Highway 6 & 34 | 18.9 mi | 22m |
| 2nd Avenue | 12.9 mi | 15m |
| 370th Avenue | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| State Highway 22 | 7.8 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Highway 30
— 43.8 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, NE and Cambridge, NE.
1
Start on South 7th Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
South 7th Street
2
Enter roundabout onto West Pasewalk Avenue
33 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Pasewalk Avenue
3
Continue on West Pasewalk Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Pasewalk Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 81
39 mi
·
42 min
·
South 13th Street
5
Turn right onto N-22
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 22
6
Continue on N-22
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Columbus Avenue
7
Turn left onto Gleason Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Gleason Street
8
Continue on 370th Avenue
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
370th Avenue
9
Turn right onto US 30
26 mi
·
31 min
·
Highway 30
10
Continue on US 30
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
16th Street
11
Continue on US 30
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
G Street
12
Continue on US 30
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Highway 30
13
Turn left onto North Gunbarrel Road
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
North Gunbarrel Road
14
Continue on Husker Highway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Husker Highway
15
Turn right onto US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 34
16
Turn left onto South Locust Street
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South Locust Street
17
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
18
Merge onto I 80
41 mi
·
40 min
·
I 80
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
20
Turn left onto N-44; I 80 Alt
13 mi
·
15 min
·
2nd Avenue
21
Turn right onto US 6; US 34; N-44
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Highway 6
22
Continue on US 6; US 34
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
US Highway 6 & 34
23
Continue on US 6; US 34
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
4th Avenue
24
Continue on US 6; US 34
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
West 4th Avenue
25
Continue on US 6; US 34
9.2 mi
·
11 min
·
US Highway 6 & 34
26
Continue on US 6; US 34
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Highway 6 & 34
27
Continue on US 6; US 34
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Chestnut Street
28
Continue on US 6; US 34
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Highway 6 & 34
29
Continue on US 6; US 34
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6 & 34 Highway Street
30
Continue on US 6; US 34
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Highway 6 & 34
31
Arrive at destination
US 6; US 34
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 115.3 miles from Norfolk, NE, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.8 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.3 miles or 2h 18m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cambridge, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, NE
This is one driving day of about 230.7 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Norfolk, 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 30 for about 43.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.3 mi from Norfolk, NE · 2h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 115.3 miles from Norfolk, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cambridge, NE
The final approach into Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, 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
$36.07 one way
$72.13 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $39.60 | $79.20 |
| premium | $4.89 | $44.40 | $88.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.94 | $101.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.22 | $11.07 |
| Efficient EV | 57.7 | 0 | $20.19 | $9.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.3 | 1 | $32.30 | $14.76 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Cambridge, NE
Late night in Cambridge on Wednesday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 30m 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 Norfolk, NE to Cambridge, NE covers 230.7 miles and takes about 4h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 30, I 80, South 13th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.3 miles from Norfolk, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.07 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 30m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West Pasewalk Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.6 miles (US 81 / South 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 107.4 miles (US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt / Highway 34): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Norfolk, NE to Cambridge, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Archway Monument along the way.
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