Origin
Sutherland, NE
Night in Sutherland on Thursday
Local time
9:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
5h 11m
Distance
300 mi
483 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sutherland, NE
cottonbro studio
Omaha, NE
Wikimedia Commons
This 300-mile journey from Sutherland to Omaha, Nebraska, is easily accomplished in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. The route is almost entirely highway-focused, with 99% of it on major roads like I-80. With a fuel cost estimated at $47, it's an economical option for a quick trip across the Great Plains. You'll encounter one designated stop along the way. This drive is ideal for those who prefer efficient travel and don't require extensive scenic detours, making it a straightforward option for a day trip.
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
150 miles from Sutherland, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 300 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this route, with 99% of the mileage on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is a significant 294.1 miles primarily on I-80. This means you'll be covering ground efficiently, with minimal slowdowns or changes in road type. The character of the drive is consistent, offering a smooth and direct path across the Nebraska landscape, largely characterized by the open expanses of the Great Plains.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Gerald R Ford Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 11m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 296.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward I 80 east
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 480 North, US 75: Eppley Airfield, Downtown, Bellevue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto Gerald R Ford Expressway toward I 480 North, US 75 North: Eppley Airfield, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Harney Street, Dodge Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 294.1 mi | 5h |
| Gerald R Ford Expressway | 2 mi | 2m |
| N-25 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| 1st Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Harney Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sutherland, NE and Omaha, NE.
Start on US 30; I 80 Alt
Turn right onto N-25; I 80 Alt
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork onto Gerald R Ford Expressway
Take the exit
Turn right onto Harney Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 5-hour driving duration, starting your trip from Sutherland in the morning allows ample time to reach Omaha by the afternoon. With only one recommended stop and a long stretch on I-80, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest segment of the drive, as services can be spread out on the interstate. The estimated fuel cost of $47 makes this a budget-friendly trip, so you can confidently budget for a meal or coffee during your journey.
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 66 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Omaha, NE than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Sutherland, 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 Sutherland, NE
This is one driving day of about 300 miles and 5h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 150 mi from Sutherland, NE · 2h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
150 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 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 150 miles from Sutherland, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 294.1 miles.
The final approach into Omaha, 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 Omaha, NE.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$46.90 one way
$93.80 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $51.50 | $102.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $57.73 | $115.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.24 | $132.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90 | 1 | $31.50 | $14.40 |
| Efficient EV | 75 | 0 | $26.25 | $12.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120 | 1 | $42.00 | $19.20 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Sutherland on Thursday
Local time
9:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Omaha on Thursday
Local time
9:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
79°F
Aurora, NE
150 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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