How far is Fairbury, NE from Norfolk, NE?

The driving distance from Fairbury, NE to Norfolk, NE is about 151.4 miles (243.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 131.2 miles (211.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
151.46 mi
02h 36m
Flight
131.24 mi
211.21 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fairbury.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
131.24 mi
Kilometers
211.21 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
151.46 mi
Kilometers
243.75 km
Drive Time
02h 36m

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 02h 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Norfolk
Fri, May 1, 5:24 PM CDT
Return by in Fairbury
Fri, May 1, 8:00 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fairbury
2026-05-01T14:47
Arrive Norfolk
Fri, May 1, 5:24 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:37 AM to 12:37 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fairbury
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Gresham
NE

Village in York County, Nebraska, United States

From Fairbury
75.5 mi
01h 18m
To Norfolk
76 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Friday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph NNW
Destination
59°F
Friday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 10 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 6th Street

    2638 ft · 1 min · 6th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto K Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · K Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Highway 15

    34.2 mi · 41 min · Highway 15

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Highway 6

    5 mi · 6 min · Highway 6

  5. 5

    Continue on 1st Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Highway 80E

    3 mi · 4 min · Highway 80E

  7. 7

    Continue on 420th Road

    8.7 mi · 10 min · 420th Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp sharp left toward I 80 west

    1870 ft · 46 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    2.4 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward NE 80F Link: Utica

    1792 ft · 45 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto 462nd Road

    4.4 mi · 6 min · 462nd Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Centennial Avenue

    1 mi · 3 min · Centennial Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto McKelvie Road

    1.6 km · 1 min · McKelvie Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Highway 34

    2 mi · 2 min · Highway 34

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Highway 69

    10 mi · 12 min · Highway 69

  16. 16

    Continue on County Road V

    2 mi · 2 min · County Road V

  17. 17

    Continue on County Road 123

    1.3 km · 58 sec · County Road 123

  18. 18

    Continue on County Road U

    7.7 mi · 9 min · County Road U

  19. 19

    Continue on South Walnut Street

    1815 ft · 38 sec · South Walnut Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto East Park Street

    1339 ft · 17 sec · East Park Street

  21. 21

    Continue on County Road 131

    2.8 mi · 3 min · County Road 131

  22. 22

    Turn left onto A Road

    16.5 mi · 20 min · A Road

  23. 23

    Turn left onto 14th Street

    714 ft · 16 sec · 14th Street

  24. 24

    Turn slight right onto Howard Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · Howard Boulevard

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Howard Boulevard

    43.4 mi · 48 min · Howard Boulevard

  26. 26

    Turn right onto West Pasewalk Avenue

    2599 ft · 1 min · West Pasewalk Avenue

  27. 27

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward South 7th Street

    41 m · 4 sec · South 7th Street

  28. 28

    Exit the roundabout onto South 7th Street

    805 ft · 22 sec · South 7th Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 7th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
29 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Howard Boulevard
44.2 mi · 29%
Highway 15
34.2 mi · 23%
A Road
16.5 mi · 11%
Highway 69
10 mi · 7%
420th Road
8.66 mi · 6%
County Road U
7.66 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Howard Boulevard

Turn left onto Howard Boulevard

43.4 mi · 00h 48m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.2 mi
131.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gresham
01h 18m from Fairbury
Leave By
1:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Fairbury and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Norfolk.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 151.4 miles (243.7 km) and usually takes 02h 36m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Gresham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.5 miles from Fairbury and 76 miles from Norfolk.

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

The direct path is about 131.2 miles (211.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.14 one way or $40.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny around Fairbury and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Norfolk.

Stop Ideas Near Gresham

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Gresham, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gresham.

RAIL

Lincoln

63 mi away
201 North 7th St.
RAIL

Hastings

97 mi away
501 West First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fairbury and Norfolk. Straight-line distance: 131.24 mi (211.21 km).

Fairbury

#1 Fairbury

City in Jefferson County, Nebraska, United States

Population3,646
Coordinates40.1372200, -97.1805900
Altitude404
CountryUnited States
Norfolk

#2 Norfolk

City in Madison County, Nebraska, United States

Population24,363
Coordinates42.0283400, -97.4170000
Altitude464
CountryUnited States
Start: 6th Street (-97.18059, 40.137254)
End: South 7th Street (-97.416847, 42.028339)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 244 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.34 gal
20.23 L · about $20.14
Round trip
$40.27
10.68 gal · 40.46 L
Estimated CO2
47.5 kg one way
Round trip: 94.9 kg / 209 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.14 $40.27
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.71 $45.42
Premium $4.65 $24.85 $49.70
Diesel $5.30 $28.32 $56.65

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 · May 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Fairbury and Norfolk. The current time is 14:47:17.

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.