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

The driving distance from Papillion, NE to North Platte, NE is about 270.2 miles (434.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 245.8 miles (395.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 46m 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
270.2 mi
03h 53m
Flight
245.75 mi
395.5 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Papillion.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
245.75 mi
Kilometers
395.5 km
Flight Time
00h 29m

Driving Distance

Road route
270.2 mi
Kilometers
434.84 km
Drive Time
03h 53m

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 03h 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Platte
Tue, May 12, 10:46 PM CDT
Return by in Papillion
Wed, May 13, 2:39 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Papillion
2026-05-12T18:53
Arrive North Platte
Tue, May 12, 10:46 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:53 AM to 11:53 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:14 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Papillion
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
Doniphan
NE

Township in Hall County, Nebraska

From Papillion
135 mi
01h 56m
To North Platte
135.2 mi
01h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 18 mph WNW
Destination
80°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Lincoln Street

    60 m · 16 sec · East Lincoln Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Washington Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · South Washington Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Highway 370

    6.3 mi · 9 min · Highway 370

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I 80 West: Lincoln

    2360 ft · 29 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    261 mi · 4 hr 25 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 83: North Platte, McCook

    1336 ft · 33 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on US 83 North: North Platte

    1678 ft · 41 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto South Jeffers Street

    1395 ft · 34 sec · South Jeffers Street

  9. 9

    Continue on South Dewey Street

    3211 ft · 60 sec · South Dewey Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto East Philip Avenue

    98 m · 21 sec · East Philip Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto South Jeffers Street

    657 ft · 13 sec · South Jeffers Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West William Avenue

    122 m · 23 sec · West William Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left

    48 m · 12 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
261 mi · 97%
Highway 370
6.28 mi · 2%
South Washington Street
0.99 mi
South Dewey Street
0.61 mi
South Jeffers Street
0.39 mi
US 83 North
0.32 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Merge slight left

261 mi · 04h 25m

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
03h 53m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.4 mi
245.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Doniphan
01h 56m from Papillion
Leave By
9:14 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Papillion and Sunny near North Platte.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 270.2 miles (434.8 km) and usually takes 03h 53m 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?

Doniphan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135 miles from Papillion and 135.2 miles from North Platte.

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

The direct path is about 245.8 miles (395.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.4 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:14 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.94 one way or $71.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Papillion and Sunny near North Platte.

Stop Ideas Near Doniphan

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

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

RAIL

Hastings

21 mi away
501 West First St.
RAIL

Holdrege

92 mi away
100 West Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Papillion and North Platte. Straight-line distance: 245.75 mi (395.5 km).

Papillion

#1 Papillion

City in and county seat of Sarpy County, Nebraska, United States

Population20,293
Coordinates41.1544400, -96.0422400
Altitude308
CountryUnited States
North Platte

#2 North Platte

City in Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States

Population23,202
Coordinates41.1238900, -100.7654200
Altitude854
CountryUnited States
Start: East Lincoln Street (-96.042241, 41.154416)
End: (-100.765465, 41.124013)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 435 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.53 gal
36.09 L · about $35.94
Round trip
$71.88
19.06 gal · 72.18 L
Estimated CO2
84.7 kg one way
Round trip: 169.4 kg / 373 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $35.94 $71.88
Mid-grade $4.25 $40.53 $81.06
Premium $4.65 $44.35 $88.71
Diesel $5.30 $50.55 $101.09

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Papillion and North Platte. The current time is 18:53:20.

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.