How far is Wood River, NE from Omaha, NE?

The driving distance from Wood River, NE to Omaha, NE is about 157.5 miles (253.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 141.9 miles (228.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 43m 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
157.48 mi
02h 21m
Flight
141.83 mi
228.26 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wood River.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
141.83 mi
Kilometers
228.26 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
157.48 mi
Kilometers
253.44 km
Drive Time
02h 21m

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 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Omaha
Sat, Apr 18, 10:29 PM CDT
Return by in Wood River
Sun, Apr 19, 12:50 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wood River
2026-04-18T20:07
Arrive Omaha
Sat, Apr 18, 10:29 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:22 AM to 12:22 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wood River
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
Goehner
NE

Human settlement in Seward County, Nebraska, United States of America

From Wood River
78.6 mi
01h 10m
To Omaha
78.9 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
52°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wood River and Omaha.

  1. 1

    Start on East Street

    7 m · 8 sec · East Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Highway 30

    1.1 km · 1 min · Highway 30

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Elm Street

    3184 ft · 55 sec · Elm Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West Schultz Road

    5.1 mi · 7 min · West Schultz Road

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto South Alda Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Alda Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp sharp left toward I 80 east

    1531 ft · 37 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    146.5 mi · 2 hr 33 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 480 North, US 75: Eppley Airfield, Downtown, Bellevue

    1535 ft · 37 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Gerald R Ford Expressway

    2 mi · 2 min · Gerald R Ford Expressway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Harney Street, Dodge Street

    1034 ft · 25 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Harney Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Harney Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Harney Street

Car Route Details

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

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
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 east
147 mi · 93%
West Schultz Road
5.09 mi · 3%
Gerald R Ford Expressway
1.98 mi · 1%
South Alda Road
1.23 mi · 1%
Harney Street
0.86 mi · 1%
Highway 30
0.69 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 east

Merge slight left

147 mi · 02h 33m

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 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.6 mi
141.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Goehner
01h 10m from Wood River
Leave By
1:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Wood River and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Omaha.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Wood River to Omaha?

The road trip is about 157.5 miles (253.4 km) and usually takes 02h 21m 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?

Goehner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.6 miles from Wood River and 78.9 miles from Omaha.

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

The direct path is about 141.9 miles (228.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.6 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 1:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.97 one way or $41.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wood River and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Omaha.

Stop Ideas Near Goehner

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

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

RAIL

Lincoln

43 mi away
201 North 7th St.
RAIL

Hastings

102 mi away
501 West First St.
RAIL

Omaha

118 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wood River and Omaha. Straight-line distance: 141.83 mi (228.26 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Wood River

City in Nebraska

Population1,307
Coordinates40.8205700, -98.6000700
Altitude599
CountryUnited States
Omaha

#2 Omaha

The largest city in Nebraska and the center of the Omaha metropolitan area.

Population478,393
Coordinates41.2562600, -95.9404300
Altitude323
CountryUnited States
Start: East Street (-98.600182, 40.820569)
End: Harney Street (-95.940428, 41.256566)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 253 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.56 gal
21.04 L · about $20.97
Round trip
$41.93
11.12 gal · 42.08 L
Estimated CO2
49.4 kg one way
Round trip: 98.8 kg / 218 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.97 $41.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.65 $47.29
Premium $4.65 $25.88 $51.75
Diesel $5.30 $29.49 $58.98

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 Wood River and Omaha. The current time is 20:07:43.

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.