How far is Ralston, NE from Hastings, NE?

The driving distance from Ralston, NE to Hastings, NE is about 153.2 miles (246.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 129.7 miles (208.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 47m 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
153.21 mi
02h 23m
Flight
129.77 mi
208.84 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ralston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
129.77 mi
Kilometers
208.84 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
153.21 mi
Kilometers
246.56 km
Drive Time
02h 23m

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 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hastings
Thu, May 21, 9:20 AM CDT
Return by in Ralston
Thu, May 21, 11:43 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ralston
2026-05-21T06:56
Arrive Hastings
Thu, May 21, 9:20 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:24 AM to 12:24 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:42 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ralston
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 Ralston
76.2 mi
01h 11m
To Hastings
76.9 mi
01h 11m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, May 21 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph E
Destination
62°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, May 21 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph ESE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Ralston and Hastings.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ralston and Hastings.

  1. 1

    Start on Q Street

    54 m · 12 sec · Q Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Q Street

    98 m · 19 sec · Q Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South 84th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · South 84th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Harrison Street

    3.6 mi · 6 min · Harrison Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Giles Road

    1378 ft · 29 sec · Giles Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West

    2210 ft · 43 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    130 mi · 2 hr 15 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 34, US 281: Grand Island, Hastings

    1422 ft · 35 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    2268 ft · 55 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto US Highway 281

    8.5 mi · 10 min · US Highway 281

  11. 11

    Continue on Highway 281

    6.8 mi · 9 min · Highway 281

  12. 12

    Continue on North Burlington Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Burlington Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West 7th Street

    1343 ft · 29 sec · West 7th Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North Saint Joseph Avenue

    1336 ft · 1 min · North Saint Joseph Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West 3rd Street

    68 m · 4 sec · West 3rd Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ralston and Hastings.

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
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
130 mi · 85%
US Highway 281
8.46 mi · 6%
Highway 281
6.84 mi · 4%
Harrison Street
3.61 mi · 2%
South 84th Street
1.01 mi · 1%
North Burlington Avenue
0.87 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Merge slight left

130 mi · 02h 15m

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 23m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.5 mi
129.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Goehner
01h 11m from Ralston
Leave By
1:42 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Ralston and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Hastings.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ralston to Hastings?

The road trip is about 153.2 miles (246.6 km) and usually takes 02h 23m 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 76.2 miles from Ralston and 76.9 miles from Hastings.

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

The direct path is about 129.7 miles (208.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.5 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 1:42 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.36 one way or $40.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Ralston and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Hastings.

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 Ralston and Hastings. Straight-line distance: 129.77 mi (208.84 km).

Ralston

#1 Ralston

City in Douglas County, Nebraska, United States

Population7,254
Coordinates41.2052800, -96.0425200
Altitude349
CountryUnited States
Hastings

#2 Hastings

County seat of Adams County, Nebraska, United States

Population24,725
Coordinates40.5861200, -98.3883900
Altitude587
CountryUnited States
Start: Q Street (-96.04252, 41.20525)
End: West 3rd Street (-98.38839, 40.586103)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 247 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.4 gal
20.46 L · about $20.36
Round trip
$40.73
10.8 gal · 40.92 L
Estimated CO2
48 kg one way
Round trip: 96 kg / 212 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.36 $40.73
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.97 $45.93
Premium $4.65 $25.13 $50.26
Diesel $5.30 $28.64 $57.28

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 21, 2026

There is no time difference between Ralston and Hastings. The current time is 06:56:55.

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.