Drive Time
3h
Distance
150.7 mi
Route Type
Turn-heavy local drive
Same-day tripSame Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
The drive from Norfolk, NE to Fairbury, NE covers 150.7 miles and takes about 3h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Pasewalk Avenue, South 13th Street, 45th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.47 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.4 miles from Norfolk, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Expect a 3h drive with frequent turns across 150.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Pasewalk Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 13th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 45th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Howard Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 33rd Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road 131 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Park Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Walnut Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, NE and Fairbury, NE.
Start on South 7th Street
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West Pasewalk Avenue
Exit the roundabout onto West Pasewalk Avenue
Turn left onto South 13th Street
Turn right onto 45th Avenue
Continue on Howard Boulevard
Turn right onto 33rd Avenue
Turn right onto County Road 131
Continue on East Park Street
Turn left onto South Walnut Street
Continue on County Road U
Continue on County Road 123
Continue on County Road V
Continue on Highway 69
Turn left onto Highway 34
Continue on McKelvie Road
Turn right onto Centennial Avenue
Continue on 462nd Road
Take the ramp left toward I 80 east
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward NE 80E Link: Beaver Crossing
Turn right onto 420th Road
Continue on Highway 80E
Turn left onto 1st Street
Continue on Highway 6
Turn right onto Highway 15
Continue on K Street
Turn right onto 6th Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.4 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairbury, NE than in the middle of the route.
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 150.7 miles and 3h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.4 mi from Norfolk, NE · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 75.4 miles from Norfolk, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Fairbury, 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 Fairbury, NE.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$20.47 one way
$40.94 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $22.84 | $45.68 |
| premium | $4.15 | $24.62 | $49.24 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $22.25 | $44.50 |
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals (1 day)
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.7 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Norfolk on Saturday
Local time
3:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Fairbury on Saturday
Local time
3:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Explore more options from Norfolk, NE or browse trips ending in Fairbury, NE.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NE road trips.
Explore maps for Norfolk, NE or Fairbury, NE on MapSof.net.