How far is Chadron, NE from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance from Chadron, NE to Lincoln, NE is about 424.4 miles (683 km), with a travel time of about 06h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 354.9 miles (571.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 06h 55m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chadron and Lincoln.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chadron and Lincoln.
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1
Start on the route
13 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
50 m · 12 sec · East 3rd Street
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3
Turn left onto Main Street
2961 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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4
Turn right onto West 10th Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West 10th Street
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5
Turn left onto Highway 385
27.2 mi · 31 min · Highway 385
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6
Continue on County Road 65
15.1 mi · 17 min · County Road 65
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7
Continue on Highway 385
1.9 mi · 2 min · Highway 385
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8
Continue on Highway 2
7.9 mi · 9 min · Highway 2
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9
Continue on South Highway 385
7.3 mi · 8 min · South Highway 385
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10
Continue on US Highway 385
26.8 mi · 30 min · US Highway 385
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11
Continue straight
84 mi · 1 hr 39 min
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12
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · North Spruce Street
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13
Turn left
93 m · 8 sec
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14
Turn right onto South Highway 26/61
1.4 km · 1 min · South Highway 26/61
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15
Turn left onto I 80 east
2067 ft · 52 sec
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16
Merge slight left
269.8 mi · 4 hr 33 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska City
2614 ft · 44 sec
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18
Continue on Homestead Expressway
1.2 km · 55 sec · Homestead Expressway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Rosa Parks Way
959 ft · 23 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Rosa Parks Way, Downtown Lincoln
635 ft · 18 sec
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21
Turn slight left onto Rosa Parks Way
2 mi · 3 min · Rosa Parks Way
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22
Continue on K Street
1 mi · 3 min · K Street
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23
Continue on Capitol Parkway
1 mi · 2 min · Capitol Parkway
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24
Turn left onto A Street
2046 ft · 60 sec · A Street
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25
Turn left onto South 37th Street
103 m · 17 sec · South 37th Street
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26
Turn right onto B Street
93 m · 11 sec · B Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · B Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chadron and Lincoln.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 80 east
Merge slight left
270 mi · 04h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Chadron and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lincoln.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chadron to Lincoln?
The road trip is about 424.4 miles (683 km) and usually takes 06h 55m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
North Platte is a useful midpoint, sitting about 225.4 miles from Chadron and 199 miles from Lincoln.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 354.9 miles (571.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 69.5 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $56.49 one way or $112.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 133.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Chadron and Lincoln, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Chadron and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lincoln.
Stop Ideas Near North Platte
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Platte.
McCook
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chadron and Lincoln. Straight-line distance: 354.86 mi (571.1 km).
#1 Chadron
City in Nebraska
| Population | 5,250 |
| Coordinates | 42.8294200, -102.9999100 |
| Altitude | 1030 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lincoln
The capital of Nebraska and the center of the Lincoln metropolitan area.
| Population | 290,505 |
| Coordinates | 40.8000000, -96.6669600 |
| Altitude | 367 |
| Country | United States |
End: B Street (-96.66696, 40.799868)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 683 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $56.49 | $112.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $63.71 | $127.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $69.72 | $139.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $79.45 | $158.91 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.