The drive from Norfolk, NE to Syracuse, NE covers 145.4 miles and takes about 2h 55m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 275, Highway 30, Highway 50 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.3 miles on Highway 275.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.73 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
72.7 miles from Norfolk, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 145.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 55m highway drive covering 145.4 miles, with most of the trip on Highway 275 and Highway 30. The longest continuous stretch is about 59.3 miles on Highway 275.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 275 is the longest continuous segment at about 59.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 275 and Highway 30. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South 7th Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 145.4 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South 7th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.7 miles (US 275 / West Omaha Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 74.2 miles (US 30; US 77; US 275 / Highway 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|South 7th Street
Enter roundabout onto South 7th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|US 275 / West Omaha Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto US 275 / West Omaha Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
74.2 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|US 30; US 77; US 275 / Highway 30
Merge onto US 30; US 77; US 275 / Highway 30
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
102.5 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward 144th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 144th Street
8
102.6 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 144th Street south
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward 144th Street south
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 Syracuse, NE, road signs begin pointing toward 144Th Street South along the way.
144Th Street South
102.6 mi in|~1h 58m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 275
59.3 mi
1h 6m
Highway 30
20 mi
21m
Highway 50
16 mi
19m
State Highway 50
11.1 mi
14m
North 30th Road
8.3 mi
9m
L-28B
8.3 mi
9m
Highway 77
7.8 mi
8m
North 144th Street
4.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Highway 275
— 59.3 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, NE and Syracuse, NE.
1
Start on South 7th Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·South 7th Street
2
Enter roundabout onto South 7th Street
89 ft·2 sec·South 7th Street
3
Continue on South 7th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South 7th Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 275
2.5 mi·2 min·West Omaha Avenue
5
Continue on US 275
23 mi·26 min·Highway 275
6
Continue on US 275
0.5 mi·1 min·Avenue E West
7
Continue on US 275
0.5 mi·1 min·E Avenue East
8
Continue on US 275
5.9 mi·7 min·Highway 275
9
Continue on US 275
0.9 mi·1 min·Front Street
10
Continue on US 275
7.0 mi·7 min·Highway 275
11
Continue on US 275
1.8 mi·2 min·North Lincoln Street
12
Continue on US 275
23 mi·24 min·Highway 275
13
Continue on US 77; US 275; N-91
7.8 mi·8 min·Highway 77
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
15
Merge onto US 30; US 77; US 275
20 mi·21 min·Highway 30
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on L-28B
8.3 mi·9 min·L-28B
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward 144th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·10 sec
Toward 144th Street southUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto North 144th Street
4.9 mi·8 min·North 144th Street
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on N-50
0.7 mi·1 min·State Highway 50
21
Continue on N-50
1.5 mi·2 min·South 144th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on N-50; I 80 Alt
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 50
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on N-50
16 mi·19 min·Highway 50
24
Continue on N-50
8.3 mi·9 min·North 30th Road
25
Continue on N-50
0.5 mi·56 sec·Park Street
26
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·5th Street
27
Arrive at destination
5th 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.7 miles from Norfolk, NE, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.3 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.7 miles or 1h 24m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Syracuse, 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 145.4 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 275 for about 59.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.7 mi from Norfolk, NE
· 1h 24m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.73 one way
$45.46 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.96
$49.92
premium
$4.89
$27.98
$55.96
diesel
$5.61
$32.10
$64.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
28 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Elkhorn, Nebraska
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Elkhorn, Nebraska
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Norfolk, Nebraska
Tesla
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Omaha, Nebraska
EVgo
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Norfolk, Nebraska
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Omaha, Nebraska
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Omaha, Nebraska
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Elkhorn, Nebraska
Blink
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 15
Blink: 5
Other: 2
EV Connect: 2
Tesla: 1
EVgo: 1
Electrify America: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.6
0
$15.27
$6.98
Efficient EV
36.4
0
$12.72
$5.82
EV Truck/SUV
58.2
0
$20.36
$9.31
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 15, 2026
Origin
Norfolk, NE
Late night
in Norfolk on Saturday
Local time
12:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NE
Late night
in Syracuse on Saturday
Local time
12:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Fremont, NE
73 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
1 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 55m 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 Norfolk, NE to Syracuse, NE covers 145.4 miles and takes about 2h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 275, Highway 30, Highway 50. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.7 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 $22.73 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 145.4 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South 7th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.7 miles (US 275 / West Omaha Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 74.2 miles (US 30; US 77; US 275 / Highway 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Norfolk, NE to Syracuse, NE, road signs begin pointing toward 144Th Street South along the way.
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.
