The Great Platte River Road Archway

The Great Platte River Road Archway is a large structure spanning Interstate 80 that presents information about transportation development in America. Inside are exhibits with detailed models and information about three historic travel routes.

The structure opened in 2000 and marks the routes that pioneers traveled through the Great Platte River Valley. It was created to document the history of these important passages for western expansion.

The exhibits display scenes of people moving westward, telling stories about their journeys and daily life on the trails. These presentations show visitors how important these routes were for shaping the nation.

The site is accessible by regular stairs and ramps, with elevators for those with mobility concerns. Plan to spend about two to three hours exploring the exhibits and displays.

The entire structure was positioned over the highway in one piece, requiring an eight-hour closure of all traffic. This was an extraordinary transport feat performed using specialized multi-wheeled vehicles.

Location: Kearney

Address: East 1st Street

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 09:00-17:00; Sunday 12:00-17:00

Phone: +13082371000

Website: https://archway.org

GPS coordinates: 40.66997,-99.03847

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:44