 It is part of the Grand Island, Nebraska Metropolitan Statistical Area.Wood River was first laid out in 1868, but when the railroad moved the depot, the town followed it, and moved to its current site in 1874.Wood River lies just south of the Wood River and approximately 3.5 miles north of the Platte River on US Route 30 between Grand Island 14.5 miles to the northeast and Kearney 25.5 miles to the southwest.