How far is North Platte, NE from Wood River, NE?

The driving distance from North Platte, NE to Wood River, NE is about 129.9 miles (209.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 114.9 miles (184.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 28m 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
129.92 mi
02h 14m
Flight
114.89 mi
184.89 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Platte.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
114.89 mi
Kilometers
184.89 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
129.92 mi
Kilometers
209.09 km
Drive Time
02h 14m

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 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wood River
Sat, Apr 18, 11:45 PM CDT
Return by in North Platte
Sun, Apr 19, 1:59 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Platte
2026-04-18T21:30
Arrive Wood River
Sat, Apr 18, 11:45 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:14 AM to 12:14 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:02 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North Platte
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
Lexington
NE

City in Dawson County, Nebraska, United States

From North Platte
64.8 mi
01h 07m
To Wood River
65.1 mi
01h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph NW
Destination
57°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Platte and Wood River.

  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

    122.2 mi · 2 hr 2 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward NE 11: Wood River

    1429 ft · 40 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto South Highway 11

    4 mi · 5 min · South Highway 11

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Walnut Street

    48 m · 7 sec · Walnut Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto West Schultz Road

    2645 ft · 47 sec · West Schultz Road

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Elm Street

    3184 ft · 56 sec · Elm Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto West Highway 30

    1.1 km · 1 min · West Highway 30

  12. 12

    Turn sharp right onto East Street

    18 m · 3 sec · East Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Street

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
123 mi · 94%
South Highway 11
4.01 mi · 3%
South Jeffers Street
0.98 mi · 1%
West Highway 30
0.68 mi · 1%
Elm Street
0.6 mi
West Schultz Road
0.5 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

122 mi · 02h 02m

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 14m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15 mi
114.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lexington
01h 07m from North Platte
Leave By
2:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Snow Showers leaving North Platte and Sunny near Wood River.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North Platte to Wood River?

The road trip is about 129.9 miles (209.1 km) and usually takes 02h 14m 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?

Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.8 miles from North Platte and 65.1 miles from Wood River.

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

The direct path is about 114.9 miles (184.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 2:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.27 one way or $34.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers around North Platte and Sunny near Wood River.

Stop Ideas Near Lexington

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

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

RAIL

Holdrege

49 mi away
100 West Ave.
RAIL

McCook

99 mi away
101 Norris Ave.
RAIL

Hastings

116 mi away
501 West First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Platte and Wood River. Straight-line distance: 114.89 mi (184.89 km).

North Platte

#1 North Platte

City in Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States

Population23,202
Coordinates41.1238900, -100.7654200
Altitude854
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Wood River

City in Nebraska

Population1,307
Coordinates40.8205700, -98.6000700
Altitude599
CountryUnited States
Start: North Platte (-100.76542, 41.12389)
End: Wood River (-98.60007, 40.82057)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 209 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.58 gal
17.35 L · about $17.27
Round trip
$34.54
9.16 gal · 34.7 L
Estimated CO2
40.7 kg one way
Round trip: 81.4 kg / 179 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.27 $34.54
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.48 $38.96
Premium $4.65 $21.32 $42.63
Diesel $5.30 $24.29 $48.58

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between North Platte and Wood River. The current time is 21:30:43.

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.