Major city · United States
HersheyHershey, Nebraska
Skip Hershey as a base: it is a 665-person I-80 exit town. Stop 1–2 hours for the crane fields in March, or sleep in North Platte 11 mi east.
Hershey is a village of about 665 people on Interstate 80 in Lincoln County, Nebraska, midway between North Platte and Sutherland in the Platte River valley. There is no hotel strip and almost no sightseeing: the reason to pull off Exit 164 is the spring sandhill crane migration on the river bottoms and corn fields, plus a 24-hour truck-stop cafe. Treat it as a 1–2 hour stop on a road trip, not a destination, and sleep in North Platte.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mid-March–early April for the crane migration; late August for the Fall Festival
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, ice, nothing running); July–Aug heat and storm season
- Airport
- LBF
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Hershey911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Lincoln County Sheriff (non-emergency)308-532-5600
- North Platte/Lincoln County CVB308-532-4729
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hershey, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime in a 665-person farm town; the real risks are the interstate, gravel-road mud, winter ice and spring storms.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 308-532-5600 Lincoln County Sheriff (non-emergency) · 308-532-4729 North Platte/Lincoln County CVB
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLBF North Platte Regional Airport (About 15 mi east; connecting flights from Denver.
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: I-80 runs east–west through Exit 164, and US 30 (the Lincoln Highway Scenic Byway) parallels it through town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at the truck stop$2–4
- Sit-down mealSteakhouse dinnerTipping 18–22% is expected at sit-down restaurants.$18–35
- Street or quick mealBreakfast plate, 24-hour truck-stop cafe$10–16
- BeerDraught beer at a local bar$4–7
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedCampground pitch at Exit 164, a night, per roomUS$25
- Mid-range bedCampground pitch at Exit 164, a night, per roomUS$40
- High-end bedCampground pitch at Exit 164, a night, per roomUS$60
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LBF North Platte Regional Airport (About 15 mi east; connecting flights from Denver. Most travellers drive in on I-80 instead.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
Best
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best*
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Care*
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Mar–Apr. Mixed: Aug. Avoid: Jul, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Hershey: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
4 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
4 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
6 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
4 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: I-80 runs east–west through Exit 164, and US 30 (the Lincoln Highway Scenic Byway) parallels it through town. The village core is small enough to walk once you have parked. There is no local bus or taxi service; fuel, food and restrooms are at the interchange.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
I-80 east to the North Platte exits, about 15 min
Where you actually sleep and eat: Buffalo Bill Ranch, the rail yards and the main motel and restaurant strip.
Door to door: About 10 min
I-80 west, about 8 min
Small Platte valley town; useful as a quieter bed option in crane season.
Brady
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
I-80 east, about 25 min
Tiny interstate town; combine with North Platte rather than making it the trip.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
I-80 east, about 1 h 15 min
The bigger Platte valley stop: archway museum, good food and hotels.
Wallace
cautionDoor to door: About 50 min
US 30 and county roads southwest, about 45 min
Ranch country; only worth it if you are already heading that way.
McCook
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
US 83 south then US 6/34 west, about 2 h
Too far for a return day: sleep there if you are continuing south.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
North Platte (11 mi east)
The real bed base: over 1,500 rooms, chain motels at the I-80 exits, restaurants open late.
Sutherland (6 mi west)
Small option: the Park Motel has roughly 20 rooms. Book ahead in crane season.
Jay-Jayz Campground, Exit 164
The only place to sleep in Hershey itself: an RV and tent campground at the interchange. Check season and hookups before you rely on it.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| North Platte motel double (11 mi east)1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Fuel, 100 km of I-80 driving1 × US$12 | US$12 |
| Truck-stop breakfast2 × US$14 | US$28 |
| Steakhouse dinner with tip2 × US$35 | US$70 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$49 |
| Trip total≈ US$270 per person per day, bed included | US$539 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; Hershey has almost no beds, so most travellers budget for a North Platte motel. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at the truck stop | $2–4 |
| Breakfast plate, 24-hour truck-stop cafe | $10–16 |
| Steakhouse dinnerTipping 18–22% is expected at sit-down restaurants. | $18–35 |
| Draught beer at a local bar | $4–7 |
| Gallon of gas on I-80check current pump price | $3.00–3.80 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Crane viewing is from public roads only: pull fully off the gravel, stay out of fields and do not cross fences onto private land.
- Gravel roads north of town turn to mud after rain or snow melt; check conditions before driving them in a low-clearance car.
- Cell coverage is thin outside the I-80 corridor.
- Winter brings ice, blowing snow and occasional I-80 closures; spring brings severe thunderstorms and hail.
- Food and fuel options are limited after dark: the truck-stop cafe is the reliable 24-hour stop.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Lincoln County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 308-532-5600
- North Platte/Lincoln County CVB
- 308-532-4729
Pocket card
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HersheyHershey, Nebraska
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Lincoln County Sheriff (non-emergency)308-532-5600
- North Platte/Lincoln County CVB308-532-4729
Embassy
No consulates in Hershey or North Platte; your embassy is in Washington, DC, with the nearest consulates-general in Denver or Chicago. Check your own country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- I-80 Exit 164 → North Platte: about 11 mi, 15 min by car
- I-80 Exit 164 → Sutherland: about 6 mi, 8 min by car
- Hershey → Kearney on I-80: about 1 h 15 min by car
Say or show
- Where is the interstate? — Where is the interstate?
- Is this road public? — Is this road public?
- Can I park here? — Can I park here?
- How far to North Platte? — How far to North Platte?
- Is the cafe open 24 hours? — Is the cafe open 24 hours?
- Thank you — Thank you
Print this card: cell coverage is thin outside the I-80 corridor.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hershey. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mid-March–early April for the crane migration; late August for the Fall Festival · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, ice, nothing running); July–Aug heat and storm season · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Crane-season timing page: peak weeks, best public viewing roads and light windows, checked against wildlife-agency guidance.
- Exit 164 services page with verified hours for the truck stop, cafe and campground.
- North Platte bed-and-eat page as the practical base for Hershey stops.
- I-80 winter-closure fixture so the drive-through verdict stays honest in January.
Sources
Ask about Hershey
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