Origin
Omaha, NE
Evening in Omaha on Wednesday
Local time
6:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Omaha, NE to Alma, NE
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
4h 16m
Distance
235.1 mi
378 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 3m
★
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.
Omaha, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Omaha, NE to Alma, NE covers 235.1 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 South 18th Street, Saint Mary's Avenue, South 29th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.76 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
117.5 miles from Omaha, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 16m drive with frequent turns across 235.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South 18th Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
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.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 16m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Omaha, NE to Alma, NE is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South 18th Street | — | — |
| Saint Mary's Avenue | — | — |
| South 29th Street | — | — |
| I 480 South | — | — |
| Gerald R Ford Expressway | — | — |
| NE 44 | — | — |
| 2nd Avenue | — | — |
| Highway 6 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
South 18th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Omaha, NE and Alma, NE.
1
Start on Harney Street
177 ft
·
10 sec
·
Harney Street
2
Turn right onto South 18th Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
South 18th Street
3
Turn right onto Saint Mary's Avenue
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Saint Mary's Avenue
4
Turn left onto South 29th Street
449 ft
·
11 sec
·
South 29th Street
5
Take the ramp straight toward I 480 South, US 75 South
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
I 480 South, US 75 South
6
Merge slight left onto Gerald R Ford Expressway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Gerald R Ford Expressway
7
Take the exit slight right toward Gerald R Ford Expressway
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
Gerald R Ford Expressway
8
Merge slight left
179 mi
·
3 hr 5 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
10
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
13 mi
·
15 min
·
2nd Avenue
11
Turn right onto Highway 6
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Highway 6
12
Continue on US Highway 6 & 34
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
US Highway 6 & 34
13
Continue on 4th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue
14
Turn left onto Arthur Street
318 ft
·
14 sec
·
Arthur Street
15
Continue on Railroad Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Railroad Street
16
Turn left onto East Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Avenue
17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Highway 281
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Highway 281
18
Continue on South East Avenue
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
South East Avenue
19
Continue on US Highway 183
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 183
20
Turn left onto West 7th Street
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
West 7th Street
21
Turn right onto John Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
John Street
22
Arrive at your 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 117.5 miles from Omaha, NE, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
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 52 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.5 miles or 2h 8m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alma, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Omaha, 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 Omaha, NE
This is one driving day of about 235.1 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Omaha, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117.5 mi from Omaha, NE · 2h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 117.5 miles from Omaha, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Alma, NE
The final approach into Alma, 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 Alma, 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
$36.76 one way
$73.51 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.36 | $80.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.24 | $90.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.91 | $103.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.69 | $11.28 |
| Efficient EV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.57 | $9.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94 | 1 | $32.91 | $15.05 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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
Alma, NE
Evening in Alma on Wednesday
Local time
6:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°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
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 Omaha, NE to Alma, NE covers 235.1 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 South 18th Street, Saint Mary's Avenue, South 29th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117.5 miles from Omaha, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.76 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 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Omaha, NE to Alma, NE is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Omaha, NE to Alma, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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