How far is Norfolk, NE from McCook, NE?

The driving distance from Norfolk, NE to McCook, NE is about 256.5 miles (412.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 209.3 miles (336.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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
256.51 mi
04h 20m
Flight
209.31 mi
336.85 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Norfolk.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
209.31 mi
Kilometers
336.85 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
256.51 mi
Kilometers
412.81 km
Drive Time
04h 20m

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 04h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in McCook
Thu, Apr 23, 4:42 AM CDT
Return by in Norfolk
Thu, Apr 23, 9:02 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Norfolk
2026-04-23T00:22
Arrive McCook
Thu, Apr 23, 4:42 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:20 AM to 12:20 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
8:20 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Norfolk
9:00 PM CDT
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 River
NE

City in Nebraska

From Norfolk
128.1 mi
02h 10m
To McCook
128.4 mi
02h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 23 mph SW
Destination
78°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 30 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South 7th Street

    805 ft · 22 sec · South 7th Street

  2. 2

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West Pasewalk Avenue

    10 m · 1 sec · West Pasewalk Avenue

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto West Pasewalk Avenue

    2594 ft · 1 min · West Pasewalk Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South 13th Street

    39.2 mi · 42 min · South 13th Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto State Highway 22

    7.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 22

  6. 6

    Continue on Columbus Avenue

    2779 ft · 1 min · Columbus Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Gleason Street

    1138 ft · 31 sec · Gleason Street

  8. 8

    Continue on 370th Avenue

    8.9 mi · 11 min · 370th Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Highway 30

    26 mi · 31 min · Highway 30

  10. 10

    Continue on 16th Street

    1 km · 1 min · 16th Street

  11. 11

    Continue on G Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · G Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Highway 30

    17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30

  13. 13

    Turn left onto North Gunbarrel Road

    4.1 mi · 6 min · North Gunbarrel Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Husker Highway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Husker Highway

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Highway 34

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South Locust Street

    4.1 mi · 6 min · South Locust Street

  17. 17

    Take the ramp slight right

    2024 ft · 49 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    40.8 mi · 41 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument

    1748 ft · 32 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    12.9 mi · 16 min · 2nd Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Highway 6

    5.1 mi · 6 min · Highway 6

  22. 22

    Continue on US Highway 6 & 34

    9.6 mi · 11 min · US Highway 6 & 34

  23. 23

    Continue on 4th Avenue

    1.2 mi · 3 min · 4th Avenue

  24. 24

    Continue on West 4th Avenue

    2008 ft · 49 sec · West 4th Avenue

  25. 25

    Continue on US Highway 6 & 34

    9.2 mi · 11 min · US Highway 6 & 34

  26. 26

    Continue on Highway 6 & 34

    21.8 mi · 25 min · Highway 6 & 34

  27. 27

    Continue on Chestnut Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Chestnut Street

  28. 28

    Continue on Highway 6 & 34

    5.1 mi · 6 min · Highway 6 & 34

  29. 29

    Continue on 6 & 34 Highway Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · 6 & 34 Highway Street

  30. 30

    Continue on Highway 6 & 34

    15.4 mi · 19 min · Highway 6 & 34

  31. 31

    Continue on Maple Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · Maple Street

  32. 32

    Continue on Highway 6 & 34

    4.9 mi · 6 min · Highway 6 & 34

  33. 33

    Continue on D Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · D Street

  34. 34

    Continue on Highway 6 & 34

    9.8 mi · 11 min · Highway 6 & 34

  35. 35

    Continue on East B Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · East B Street

  36. 36

    Turn right onto Norris Avenue

    1213 ft · 24 sec · Norris Avenue

  37. 37

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Norris Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
37 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Highway 6 & 34
57 mi · 22%
South Locust Street
45.4 mi · 18%
Highway 30
43.8 mi · 17%
South 13th Street
39.2 mi · 15%
US Highway 6 & 34
18.9 mi · 7%
2nd Avenue
12.9 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

South Locust Street

Merge slight left

40.8 mi · 00h 41m

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
04h 20m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+47.2 mi
209.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wood River
02h 10m from Norfolk
Leave By
8:20 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Norfolk and Sunny near McCook.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 256.5 miles (412.8 km) and usually takes 04h 20m 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 River is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128.1 miles from Norfolk and 128.4 miles from McCook.

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

The direct path is about 209.3 miles (336.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:20 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.13 one way or $68.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Norfolk and Sunny near McCook.

Stop Ideas Near Wood River

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Wood River, 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 Wood River.

RAIL

Hastings

32 mi away
501 West First St.
RAIL

Holdrege

78 mi away
100 West Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Norfolk and McCook. Straight-line distance: 209.31 mi (336.85 km).

Norfolk

#1 Norfolk

City in Madison County, Nebraska, United States

Population24,363
Coordinates42.0283400, -97.4170000
Altitude464
CountryUnited States
McCook

#2 McCook

McCook is a city in Red Willow County, Nebraska.

Population7,499
Coordinates40.2019500, -100.6257100
Altitude784
CountryUnited States
Start: South 7th Street (-97.416847, 42.028339)
End: Norris Avenue (-100.625785, 40.201952)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 413 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.05 gal
34.26 L · about $34.13
Round trip
$68.26
18.1 gal · 68.52 L
Estimated CO2
80.4 kg one way
Round trip: 160.9 kg / 355 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $34.13 $68.26
Mid-grade $4.25 $38.49 $76.98
Premium $4.65 $42.12 $84.24
Diesel $5.30 $48.00 $96.00

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

There is no time difference between Norfolk and McCook. The current time is 00:22:26.

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.