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Trip from Waverly, NE to North Platte, NE

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 5m

Distance

236.6 mi

381 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 52m ★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 12m
3 PM
4h 16m
5 PM
4h 30m
8 PM
3h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Waverly, NE, NE

Waverly, NE

Quang Nguyen Vinh

Downtown North Platte, NE, NE

North Platte, NE

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Waverly, NE to North Platte, NE covers 236.6 miles and takes about 4h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, US Highway 6, South Dewey Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 232.1 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.99 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

118.3 miles from Waverly, NE

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 236.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 5m highway drive covering 236.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and US Highway 6. The longest continuous stretch is about 232.1 miles on I 80.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 232.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US Highway 6. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North 141st Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 5m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North 141st Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | North 141st Street

Turn left onto North 141st Street

Navigation decision point

5
2.4 mi into trip | ~3m in

Turn left toward I 80 west

Navigation decision point

Toward I 80 west
5
2.8 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
5
234.9 mi into trip | ~4h 1m in

Take the exit toward US 83: North Platte, McCook

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 83: North Platte, McCook
5
235.1 mi into trip | ~4h 1m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 83 North: North Platte

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 83 North: North Platte

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 232.1 mi 3h 56m
US Highway 6 2.2 mi 3m
South Dewey Street 0.6 mi <1m
South Jeffers Street 0.4 mi <1m
North 141st Street 0.1 mi <1m
West William Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Kenilworth Street <0.1 mi <1m
East Philip Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 232.1 mi, about 3h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waverly, NE and North Platte, NE.

1

Start on Kenilworth Street

359 ft · 21 sec · Kenilworth Street
2

Turn left onto North 141st Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · North 141st Street
3

Turn right onto US 6; I 80 Alt

2.2 mi · 3 min · US Highway 6
4

Turn left

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 80 west
5

Merge onto I 80

232 mi · 3 hr 56 min · I 80
Use the slight right lane.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward US 83: North Platte, McCook
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward US 83 North: North Platte
8

Merge onto US 83

0.3 mi · 33 sec · South Jeffers Street
9

Continue on US 83

0.6 mi · 59 sec · South Dewey Street
10

Turn left onto East Philip Avenue

321 ft · 20 sec · East Philip Avenue
11

Turn left onto US 83R

0.1 mi · 12 sec · South Jeffers Street
12

Turn right onto West William Avenue

400 ft · 23 sec · West William Avenue
13

Turn left

156 ft · 11 sec
14

Arrive at 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 118.3 miles from Waverly, NE, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 232.1 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 52 miles or 54m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 118.3 miles or 2h 2m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Platte, NE than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Waverly, 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 Waverly, NE

This is one driving day of about 236.6 miles and 4h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Waverly, 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 I 80 for about 232.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 118.3 mi from Waverly, NE · 2h 2m into the drive

Downtown Shelton, NE, NE

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Shelton, NE

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.

Popular next leg

Shelton, NE to North Platte, NE

118.8 mi · 2h 6m

Pacing Suggestions

Seward, NE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Shelton, NE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 118.3 miles from Waverly, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 232.1 miles.

Arriving in North Platte, NE

The final approach into North Platte, 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 North Platte, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Luigi's | Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Platte, Nebraska

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 236.6

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13082212961

Visit website

Shoemakers Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lincoln, Nebraska

0.3 mi

the Espresso Shop | Caravan

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Platte, Nebraska

0.9 mi

Luigi's | Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 236.6

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13082212961

Visit website

Shoemakers Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 16.9

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 5:30 am–9 pm

+14024741775

Visit website

the Espresso Shop | Caravan

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 236.6

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+13085349550

Visit website

Tempura | Japanese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 236.6

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13085320711

Visit website

North 40 Chophouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $50 to $10 mile 236.6

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 4–10 pm

+13082216688

Visit website

The Cedar Room

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 236.6

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 4–9 pm

+13085324825

Visit website

Penny's Diner

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 236.6

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13085359900

Visit website

Merricks Ranch House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 236.6

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+13085328200

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Waverly, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Cody Park Railroad Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 236.6

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+13085356719

Visit website

Sod House Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 202.8

Gothenburg, Nebraska

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13085291630

Visit website

University of Nebraska State Museum - Morrill Hall

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 16.9

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14024722637

Visit website

Big Apple Fun Center

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 135.2

Kearney, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+13082344545

Visit website

Edgerton Explorit Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 84.5

Aurora, Nebraska

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14026944032

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.99 one way

$73.98 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 83 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $40.61 $81.23
premium $4.89 $45.53 $91.06
diesel $5.61 $52.24 $104.48

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: 82.8 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 71 0 $24.84 $11.36
Efficient EV 59.2 0 $20.70 $9.46
EV Truck/SUV 94.6 1 $33.12 $15.14

Gas CO2

83 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Waverly, NE

Late night in Waverly on Saturday

Local time

2:38 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North Platte, NE

Late night in North Platte on Saturday

Local time

2:38 AM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

50°F

Shelton, NE

118 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

32 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 5m 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 Waverly, NE to North Platte, NE covers 236.6 miles and takes about 4h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, US Highway 6, South Dewey 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 118.3 miles from Waverly, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.99 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 5m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North 141st Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Waverly, NE to North Platte, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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