How far is North Platte, NE from Ashland, NE?

The driving distance from North Platte, NE to Ashland, NE is about 250.2 miles (402.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 229 miles (368.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 36m 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
250.21 mi
04h 18m
Flight
229.06 mi
368.63 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Platte.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
229.06 mi
Kilometers
368.63 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
250.21 mi
Kilometers
402.68 km
Drive Time
04h 18m

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 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ashland
Thu, Apr 16, 1:05 PM CDT
Return by in North Platte
Thu, Apr 16, 5:24 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Platte
2026-04-16T08:47
Arrive Ashland
Thu, Apr 16, 1:05 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:18 AM to 12:18 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
8:24 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in North Platte
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 North Platte
124.8 mi
02h 09m
To Ashland
125.4 mi
02h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSW
Destination
83°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 16 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North Platte and Ashland.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Platte and Ashland.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    48 m · 14 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West William Avenue

    122 m · 20 sec · West William Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Jeffers Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · South Jeffers Street

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight left toward I 80 East

    2977 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    242.9 mi · 4 hr 8 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward NE 63: Ashland, Greenwood

    1510 ft · 37 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto 238th Street

    3.1 mi · 4 min · 238th Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Highway 6

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Highway 6

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Highway 66

    69 m · 4 sec · Highway 66

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto Highway 66

    839 ft · 17 sec · Highway 66

  11. 11

    Continue on South 14th Street

    1490 ft · 32 sec · South 14th Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 14th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North Platte and Ashland.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
12 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
243 mi · 97%
238th Street
3.11 mi · 1%
Highway 6
1.81 mi · 1%
South Jeffers Street
0.98 mi
NE 63
0.29 mi
South 14th Street
0.28 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

243 mi · 04h 08m

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 18m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.2 mi
229 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wood River
02h 09m from North Platte
Leave By
8:24 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving North Platte and Sunny near Ashland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North Platte to Ashland?

The road trip is about 250.2 miles (402.7 km) and usually takes 04h 18m 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 124.8 miles from North Platte and 125.4 miles from Ashland.

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

The direct path is about 229 miles (368.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.2 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 8:24 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.30 one way or $66.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around North Platte and Sunny near Ashland.

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 North Platte and Ashland. Straight-line distance: 229.06 mi (368.63 km).

North Platte

#1 North Platte

City in Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States

Population23,202
Coordinates41.1238900, -100.7654200
Altitude854
CountryUnited States
Ashland

#2 Ashland

City in Saunders County, Nebraska, United States

Population2,724
Coordinates41.0391600, -96.3683500
Altitude332
CountryUnited States
Start: North Platte (-100.76542, 41.12389)
End: Ashland (-96.36835, 41.03916)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 403 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.83 gal
33.42 L · about $33.30
Round trip
$66.60
17.66 gal · 66.84 L
Estimated CO2
78.5 kg one way
Round trip: 156.9 kg / 346 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $33.30 $66.60
Mid-grade $4.25 $37.55 $75.11
Premium $4.65 $41.09 $82.19
Diesel $5.30 $46.83 $93.67

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between North Platte and Ashland. The current time is 08:47:33.

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.