Origin
Wayne, NE
Morning in Wayne on Wednesday
Local time
11:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wayne, NE to Beatrice, NE
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 41m
Distance
160.1 mi
258 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 31m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wayne, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Beatrice, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 160.1 miles through the heart of the Great Plains, this drive from Wayne to Beatrice is a straightforward journey typically taking about 2 hours and 41 minutes. Because the route is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $24 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. Since you are staying within the same region, the landscape remains consistent as you traverse rural Nebraska. This trip is ideal if you prefer local roads over the intensity of major interstates. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
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
80 miles from Wayne, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route relies entirely on Highway 15, Highway 275, and Road 11. With a highway share of 0%, you won't find yourself locked into long, high-speed stretches of divided road. Instead, the journey requires more engagement behind the wheel as you navigate the local infrastructure connecting these two Nebraska communities. The roads shift frequently, keeping the pace steady but varied compared to typical highway travel. You will find that the lack of major highways gives the drive a more personal, localized feel, allowing you to experience the region at a more grounded tempo.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 15 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. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Wayne, NE to Beatrice, NE is easy. At 2h 41m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Wayne, NE to Beatrice, NE is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 15 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 275 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Road 11 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Colfax Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Q Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 32 Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road K | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road 28 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Highway 15
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wayne, NE and Beatrice, NE.
1
Start on Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
2
Continue on Highway 15
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Highway 15
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Highway 275
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 275
4
Turn left onto Highway 15
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Highway 15
5
Continue on Road 11
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Road 11
6
Continue on Colfax Street
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Colfax Street
7
Continue on Road 11
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Road 11
8
Continue on Q Road
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Q Road
9
Turn left onto Q Road
9.8 mi
·
15 min
·
Q Road
10
Turn left onto 32 Road
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
32 Road
11
Continue on County Road K
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road K
12
Turn right onto County Road 28
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road 28
13
Continue on Cedar Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Cedar Street
14
Continue on County Road 28
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 28
15
Continue on Highway 79
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 79
16
Continue on Nebraska Highway 79
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Nebraska Highway 79
17
Continue on Northwest 56th Street
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Northwest 56th Street
18
At the end of the road, turn left onto West US Highway 34
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West US Highway 34
19
Continue on Purple Heart Highway
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Purple Heart Highway
20
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West, US 77 South: Municipal Airport
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 80 West, US 77 South: Municipal Airport
21
Merge slight left
2.9 mi
·
3 min
22
Take the exit slight right toward US 77 South: Beatrice
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 77 South: Beatrice
23
Keep slight left to continue on US 77 South: Beatrice
9.1 mi
·
11 min
·
US 77 South: Beatrice
24
Keep slight right to continue on US Highway 77
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 77
25
Continue on South 12th Street
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
South 12th Street
26
Continue on US Highway 77
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 77
27
Continue on Highway 77
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Highway 77
28
Continue on North 6th Street
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North 6th Street
29
Turn slight right
92 ft
·
14 sec
30
Turn left
82 ft
·
7 sec
31
Turn right
36 ft
·
3 sec
32
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop along the way to stretch your legs, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the route that requires constant attention. Keep in mind that since you are navigating local roads rather than major interstates, you should monitor your fuel levels before heading out to ensure you stay within your $24 budget. A helpful tip for this specific trip is to account for extra travel time if you encounter local farm traffic, as the smaller roads can be slower than primary highways. Prioritize a clear weather window to ensure the best visibility for these winding secondary routes.
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 80 miles from Wayne, NE, or about 1h 20m 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 80 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80 miles or 1h 20m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beatrice, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wayne, 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 Wayne, NE
This is one driving day of about 160.1 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wayne, 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 80 mi from Wayne, NE · 1h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80 miles from Wayne, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Beatrice, NE
The final approach into Beatrice, 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 Beatrice, 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
$25.03 one way
$50.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.48 | $54.96 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.81 | $61.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.35 | $70.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48 | 0 | $16.81 | $7.68 |
| Efficient EV | 40 | 0 | $14.01 | $6.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64 | 0 | $22.41 | $10.25 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Beatrice, NE
Morning in Beatrice on Wednesday
Local time
11:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Lincoln, NE
80 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
2 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
2h 41m 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 Wayne, NE to Beatrice, NE covers 160.1 miles and takes about 2h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 15, Highway 275, Road 11. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80 miles from Wayne, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.03 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.
The drive from Wayne, NE to Beatrice, NE is easy. At 2h 41m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Wayne, NE to Beatrice, NE is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Wayne, NE to Beatrice, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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