The southern branch of Nebraska Highway 103 begins at an intersection with NE 8 south of Diller. It heads directly northward through farmland, passing through Diller along the way. At US 136 north of Diller, this segment of NE 103 terminates and resumes about 8 miles (13 km) to the north.[1][3]
Northern segment
The northern segment of Nebraska Highway 103 begins at NE 4, east of Plymouth. It heads in a northerly direction through farmland, turning briefly to the northwest as it passes through De Witt. After leaving De Witt, NE 103 continues heading northward. In Wilber, it intersects with NE 41. The highway continues heading north and slightly to the northwest until it meets NE 33 in Crete. It runs concurrently with NE 33 for about 3.5 miles (5.6 km), passing through Crete. Just to the northeast of Crete, NE 103 splits off and continues northward. After passing through Pleasant Dale, it intersects with US 6. Less than a mile later, NE 103 intersects with I-80 where it then terminates.[1][4]
History
Southern segment
The southern segment of N-103 largely follows today's alignment. However, according to the 1937 state highway map, its southern terminus was Diller.[5] Between 1937 and 1940, N-103 was extended further south and terminated at N-3S[6] (the current terminus), or present day N-8.
Northern segment
The northern segment was first numbered N-82 as early as 1937.[5] The renumbering of N-82 to N-103 occurred somewhere between 1962 and 1981. Also during this timeframe, N-103 was rerouted to the west and extended north through Crete, Pleasant Dale and terminated at a newly constructed interchange with I-80. Originally gravel before and around 1981,[7][8] the section between Crete and Pleasant Dale has since been paved.
^ ab>"Official Map - Nebraska State Highway System"(PDF). Nebraska Department of Transportation. Department of Roads & Irrigation, Bureau of Roads and Bridges. August 1, 1937. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
^"Official Map - Nebraska State Highway System"(PDF). Nebraska Department of Transportation. Department of Roads & Irrigation, Bureau of Roads and Bridges. April 1, 1940. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
^"Nebraska State Highways"(PDF). Nebraska Department of Transportation. Department of Roads. 1962. Retrieved July 10, 2022.