How far is Chadron, NE from Norfolk, NE?

The driving distance from Chadron, NE to Norfolk, NE is about 323.4 miles (520.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 290 miles (466.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
323.36 mi
05h 23m
Flight
289.99 mi
466.7 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chadron.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
289.99 mi
Kilometers
466.7 km
Flight Time
00h 35m

Driving Distance

Road route
323.36 mi
Kilometers
520.39 km
Drive Time
05h 23m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 05h 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Norfolk
Thu, Apr 23, 5:40 AM CDT
Return by in Chadron
Thu, Apr 23, 10:04 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chadron
2026-04-22T23:17
Arrive Norfolk
Thu, Apr 23, 4:40 AM MDT
Route Timing
05h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
12:23 PM to 2:23 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:14 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chadron
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Wood Lake
NE

Village in Nebraska, United States

From Chadron
161.5 mi
02h 41m
To Norfolk
161.9 mi
02h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SSW
Destination
78°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 23 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Chadron and Norfolk.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chadron and Norfolk.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    13 m · 9 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East 3rd Street

    19.3 mi · 23 min · East 3rd Street

  3. 3

    Continue on South 1st Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · South 1st Street

  4. 4

    Continue on US Highway 20

    10.3 mi · 12 min · US Highway 20

  5. 5

    Continue on West 2nd Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · West 2nd Street

  6. 6

    Continue on US Highway 20

    159.8 mi · 3 hr 9 min · US Highway 20

  7. 7

    Continue on Highway 20

    36.8 mi · 44 min · Highway 20

  8. 8

    Continue on West 5th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · West 5th Street

  9. 9

    Continue on North Hyde Street

    2807 ft · 60 sec · North Hyde Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Highway 20

    17.3 mi · 21 min · Highway 20

  11. 11

    Continue on West Douglas Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · West Douglas Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Highway 20/275

    12.4 mi · 15 min · Highway 20/275

  13. 13

    Continue on Highway 275

    7.6 mi · 9 min · Highway 275

  14. 14

    Continue on Front Street

    2978 ft · 38 sec · Front Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Highway 275

    9.6 mi · 11 min · Highway 275

  16. 16

    Continue on Miles Street

    2496 ft · 32 sec · Miles Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Highway 275

    8.1 mi · 9 min · Highway 275

  18. 18

    Continue on West 11th Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · West 11th Street

  19. 19

    Continue on L Street

    12.9 mi · 16 min · L Street

  20. 20

    Continue on Front Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · Front Street

  21. 21

    Continue on Highway 275

    18.8 mi · 22 min · Highway 275

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Highway 275

    59 m · 2 sec · Highway 275

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto Highway 275

    3233 ft · 54 sec · Highway 275

  24. 24

    Turn left

    84 m · 8 sec

  25. 25

    Keep slight right

    99 m · 9 sec

  26. 26

    Turn straight onto West Norfolk Avenue

    1.8 mi · 3 min · West Norfolk Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn right onto South 7th Street

    1592 ft · 44 sec · South 7th Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 7th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Chadron and Norfolk.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
28 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US Highway 20
170 mi · 53%
Highway 20
54.2 mi · 17%
Highway 275
44.8 mi · 14%
East 3rd Street
19.3 mi · 6%
L Street
12.9 mi · 4%
Highway 20/275
12.4 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 20

Continue on US Highway 20

160 mi · 03h 09m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 23m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.4 mi
290 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wood Lake
02h 41m from Chadron
Leave By
6:14 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Chadron and Chance Rain Showers near Norfolk.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chadron to Norfolk?

The road trip is about 323.4 miles (520.4 km) and usually takes 05h 23m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Wood Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 161.5 miles from Chadron and 161.9 miles from Norfolk.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 290 miles (466.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:14 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.03 one way or $86.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101.4 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Chadron and Norfolk, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Chadron and Chance Rain Showers near Norfolk.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chadron and Norfolk. Straight-line distance: 289.99 mi (466.7 km).

Chadron

#1 Chadron

City in Nebraska

Population5,250
Coordinates42.8294200, -102.9999100
Altitude1030
CountryUnited States
Norfolk

#2 Norfolk

City in Madison County, Nebraska, United States

Population24,363
Coordinates42.0283400, -97.4170000
Altitude464
CountryUnited States
Start: (-102.999995, 42.829427)
End: South 7th Street (-97.416847, 42.028339)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 520 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.41 gal
43.19 L · about $43.03
Round trip
$86.05
22.82 gal · 86.38 L
Estimated CO2
101.4 kg one way
Round trip: 202.8 kg / 447 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $43.03 $86.05
Mid-grade $4.25 $48.53 $97.05
Premium $4.65 $53.10 $106.20
Diesel $5.30 $60.52 $121.04

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Nebraska · Apr 23, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Chadron, NE and Norfolk, NE. The current time in Chadron is 23:17:34, although it is 00:17:34 in Norfolk.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.