How far is Imperial, NE from Norfolk, NE?
The driving distance from Imperial, NE to Norfolk, NE is about 318.4 miles (512.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 243 miles (391.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 22m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in and county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Imperial and Norfolk.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Imperial and Norfolk.
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1
Start on West 6th Street
10 m · 4 sec · West 6th Street
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2
Turn right onto Broadway Street
1513 ft · 53 sec · Broadway Street
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3
Turn left onto East 1st Street
1.4 km · 1 min · East 1st Street
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4
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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5
Continue on 736 Road
3 mi · 3 min · 736 Road
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6
Continue on Highway 6
2667 ft · 35 sec · Highway 6
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7
Continue on 338 Avenue
2.4 mi · 3 min · 338 Avenue
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8
Continue on Highway 6
30.2 mi · 35 min · Highway 6
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9
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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10
At the end of the road, turn left onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
13.2 mi · 16 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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11
Continue on West Highway 6 & 34
2476 ft · 55 sec · West Highway 6 & 34
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12
Continue on West B Street
2.3 mi · 6 min · West B Street
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13
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
9.8 mi · 11 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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14
Continue on D Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · D Street
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15
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
4.9 mi · 6 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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16
Continue on Maple Street
1.6 km · 1 min · Maple Street
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17
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
6.8 mi · 8 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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18
Continue on Nasby Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Nasby Street
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19
Continue on 6 & 34 Highway Street
8.2 mi · 10 min · 6 & 34 Highway Street
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20
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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21
Continue on Chestnut Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Chestnut Street
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22
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
30.1 mi · 35 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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23
Continue on West Highway 6 - 34
1.5 km · 2 min · West Highway 6 - 34
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24
Continue on West 4th Avenue
1964 ft · 50 sec · West 4th Avenue
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25
Continue on 4th Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · 4th Avenue
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26
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
14.7 mi · 18 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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27
Turn left
12.6 mi · 15 min
-
28
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 East
1700 ft · 42 sec
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29
Merge slight left
40.8 mi · 41 min
-
30
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Island
2525 ft · 1 min
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31
Turn left onto South Locust Street
4.4 mi · 5 min · South Locust Street
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32
Turn right onto Highway 34
2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34
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33
Turn left onto Husker Highway
1.2 km · 59 sec · Husker Highway
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34
Continue on South Gunbarrel Road
4 mi · 6 min · South Gunbarrel Road
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35
Turn right onto Highway 30
17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30
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36
Continue on G Street
1.4 km · 2 min · G Street
-
37
Continue on 16th Street
1 km · 1 min · 16th Street
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38
Continue on Highway 30
26 mi · 31 min · Highway 30
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39
Turn left onto 370th Avenue
8.9 mi · 11 min · 370th Avenue
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40
Continue on Gleason Street
1138 ft · 33 sec · Gleason Street
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41
Turn right onto Columbus Avenue
2779 ft · 55 sec · Columbus Avenue
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42
Continue on State Highway 22
5.7 mi · 7 min · State Highway 22
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43
Turn left onto 280th Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · 280th Avenue
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44
Turn right onto 265th Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · 265th Street
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45
Turn left
37.1 mi · 41 min
-
46
Turn right onto West Pasewalk Avenue
2599 ft · 1 min · West Pasewalk Avenue
-
47
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward South 7th Street
41 m · 4 sec · South 7th Street
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48
Exit the roundabout onto South 7th Street
805 ft · 22 sec · South 7th Street
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49
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 7th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Imperial and Norfolk.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 80 East
Merge slight left
40.8 mi · 00h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Imperial and Mostly Sunny near Norfolk.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Imperial to Norfolk?
The road trip is about 318.4 miles (512.4 km) and usually takes 05h 22m 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?
Kearney is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.1 miles from Imperial and 160.2 miles from Norfolk.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 243 miles (391.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 75.4 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 $42.39 one way or $84.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Imperial and Norfolk, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Imperial and Mostly Sunny near Norfolk.
Stop Ideas Near Kearney
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kearney.
Holdrege
Hastings
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Imperial and Norfolk. Straight-line distance: 243.01 mi (391.08 km).
#1 Imperial
City in Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,011 |
| Coordinates | 40.5169400, -101.6432300 |
| Altitude | 1001 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Norfolk
City in Madison County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 24,363 |
| Coordinates | 42.0283400, -97.4170000 |
| Altitude | 464 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 7th Street (-97.416847, 42.028339)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 512 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.39 | $84.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.80 | $95.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $52.31 | $104.62 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $59.62 | $119.23 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.