How far is Atkinson, NE from Lincoln, NE?

The driving distance from Atkinson, NE to Lincoln, NE is about 216.2 miles (347.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 169 miles (271.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
216.19 mi
03h 44m
Flight
168.93 mi
271.86 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Atkinson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
168.93 mi
Kilometers
271.86 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
216.19 mi
Kilometers
347.92 km
Drive Time
03h 44m

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 03h 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lincoln
Wed, Apr 29, 9:17 PM CDT
Return by in Atkinson
Thu, Apr 30, 1:02 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Atkinson
2026-04-29T17:33
Arrive Lincoln
Wed, Apr 29, 9:17 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:45 AM to 11:45 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:30 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Atkinson
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Saint Edward
NE

City in Boone County, Nebraska, United States

From Atkinson
105.3 mi
01h 52m
To Lincoln
110.9 mi
01h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
33°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 mph
Destination
36°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Atkinson and Lincoln.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Atkinson and Lincoln.

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    705 ft · 36 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Pearl Street

    1980 ft · 56 sec · East Pearl Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Hyde Street

    91 m · 6 sec · South Hyde Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Highway 20

    17.3 mi · 21 min · Highway 20

  5. 5

    Continue on West Douglas Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · West Douglas Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Highway 20/275

    12.4 mi · 15 min · Highway 20/275

  7. 7

    Continue on Highway 275

    7.6 mi · 9 min · Highway 275

  8. 8

    Continue on Front Street

    2978 ft · 38 sec · Front Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Highway 275

    9.6 mi · 11 min · Highway 275

  10. 10

    Continue on Miles Street

    2496 ft · 32 sec · Miles Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Highway 275

    8.1 mi · 9 min · Highway 275

  12. 12

    Continue on West 11th Street

    1392 ft · 36 sec · West 11th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto S Street

    1464 ft · 29 sec · S Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Highway 14

    10.6 mi · 12 min · Highway 14

  15. 15

    Continue on 2nd Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 2nd Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Highway 14

    8.2 mi · 9 min · Highway 14

  17. 17

    Continue on Front Street

    3224 ft · 1 min · Front Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Highway 14

    12.1 mi · 14 min · Highway 14

  19. 19

    Continue on North 6th Street

    1979 ft · 44 sec · North 6th Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto West State Street

    1879 ft · 38 sec · West State Street

  21. 21

    Continue on Highway 14

    1.6 km · 1 min · Highway 14

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on Highway 14

    626 ft · 8 sec · Highway 14

  23. 23

    Continue on Highway 39

    9.2 mi · 11 min · Highway 39

  24. 24

    Continue on Highway 39

    1.4 km · 1 min · Highway 39

  25. 25

    Continue on Beaver Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Beaver Street

  26. 26

    Continue on Highway 39

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Highway 39

  27. 27

    Continue on State Highway 39

    8.7 mi · 10 min · State Highway 39

  28. 28

    Continue on Willard Avenue

    1976 ft · 42 sec · Willard Avenue

  29. 29

    Turn right onto South Park Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Park Street

  30. 30

    Continue on State Highway 22

    2650 ft · 35 sec · State Highway 22

  31. 31

    Continue on State Highway 39

    3.4 mi · 4 min · State Highway 39

  32. 32

    Continue on Highway 39

    7.1 mi · 8 min · Highway 39

  33. 33

    Continue on County Road J

    8.8 mi · 10 min · County Road J

  34. 34

    Turn left onto County Road 130

    3 mi · 4 min · County Road 130

  35. 35

    Turn sharp right onto Center Road

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Center Road

  36. 36

    Continue on Main Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · Main Street

  37. 37

    Continue on Center Road

    14.3 mi · 17 min · Center Road

  38. 38

    Turn left onto Highway 34

    12.1 mi · 14 min · Highway 34

  39. 39

    Continue on McKelvie Road

    13.5 mi · 16 min · McKelvie Road

  40. 40

    Continue on Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  41. 41

    Continue on McKelvie Road

    4.9 mi · 6 min · McKelvie Road

  42. 42

    Continue on Highway 34

    2 mi · 2 min · Highway 34

  43. 43

    Continue on Alvo Road

    3 mi · 3 min · Alvo Road

  44. 44

    Continue on West US Highway 34

    7.8 mi · 9 min · West US Highway 34

  45. 45

    Continue on Purple Heart Highway

    6.8 mi · 10 min · Purple Heart Highway

  46. 46

    Turn left onto K Street

    1 mi · 3 min · K Street

  47. 47

    Continue on Capitol Parkway

    1 mi · 2 min · Capitol Parkway

  48. 48

    Turn left onto A Street

    2046 ft · 60 sec · A Street

  49. 49

    Turn left onto South 37th Street

    103 m · 17 sec · South 37th Street

  50. 50

    Turn right onto B Street

    93 m · 11 sec · B Street

  51. 51

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · B Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Atkinson and Lincoln.

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
51 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Highway 14
32 mi · 15%
Highway 275
25.3 mi · 12%
Highway 39
18.6 mi · 9%
McKelvie Road
18.4 mi · 8%
Center Road
18 mi · 8%
Highway 20
17.3 mi · 8%
Longest Stretch

Highway 20

Continue on Highway 20

17.3 mi · 00h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 44m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+47.2 mi
169 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Edward
01h 52m from Atkinson
Leave By
9:30 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Atkinson and Mostly Clear near Lincoln.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Atkinson to Lincoln?

The road trip is about 216.2 miles (347.9 km) and usually takes 03h 44m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Saint Edward is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.3 miles from Atkinson and 110.9 miles from Lincoln.

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

The direct path is about 169 miles (271.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:30 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.77 one way or $57.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Atkinson and Mostly Clear near Lincoln.

Stop Ideas Near Saint Edward

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Saint Edward, 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 Saint Edward.

RAIL

Hastings

118 mi away
501 West First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Atkinson and Lincoln. Straight-line distance: 168.93 mi (271.86 km).

Atkinson

#1 Atkinson

Town in Nebraska, United States

Population1,221
Coordinates42.5313900, -98.9781500
Altitude642
CountryUnited States
Lincoln

#2 Lincoln

The capital of Nebraska and the center of the Lincoln metropolitan area.

Population290,505
Coordinates40.8000000, -96.6669600
Altitude367
CountryUnited States
Start: North Main Street (-98.978254, 42.53139)
End: B Street (-96.66696, 40.799868)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 348 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.63 gal
28.88 L · about $28.77
Round trip
$57.55
15.26 gal · 57.76 L
Estimated CO2
67.8 kg one way
Round trip: 135.6 kg / 299 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $28.77 $57.55
Mid-grade $4.25 $32.45 $64.90
Premium $4.65 $35.51 $71.02
Diesel $5.30 $40.47 $80.94

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 · Apr 29, 2026

There is no time difference between Atkinson and Lincoln. The current time is 17:33:06.

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.