How far is Grand Island, NE from Atkinson, NE?

The driving distance from Grand Island, NE to Atkinson, NE is about 130.5 miles (210 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 115.8 miles (186.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
130.49 mi
02h 35m
Flight
115.74 mi
186.26 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Grand Island.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
115.74 mi
Kilometers
186.26 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
130.49 mi
Kilometers
210 km
Drive Time
02h 35m

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 02h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Atkinson
Fri, Apr 17, 1:07 PM CDT
Return by in Grand Island
Fri, Apr 17, 3:43 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Grand Island
2026-04-17T10:31
Arrive Atkinson
Fri, Apr 17, 1:07 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Grand Island
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Bartlett
NE

Village in Wheeler County, Nebraska, USA

From Grand Island
65.2 mi
01h 17m
To Atkinson
65.2 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WNW
Destination
53°F
Friday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 30 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Grand Island and Atkinson.

  1. 1

    Start on West 3rd Street

    980 ft · 55 sec · West 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Sycamore Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · North Sycamore Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Capital Avenue

    1737 ft · 41 sec · East Capital Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Broadwell Avenue

    1.6 km · 2 min · North Broadwell Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on North Highway 281

    18.7 mi · 21 min · North Highway 281

  6. 6

    Continue on 2nd Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · 2nd Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Highway 281

    47.4 mi · 55 min · Highway 281

  8. 8

    Continue on East Street

    1382 ft · 18 sec · East Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Highway 281

    41 mi · 47 min · Highway 281

  10. 10

    Continue on 4th Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · 4th Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto East Douglas Street

    2618 ft · 1 min · East Douglas Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Highway 20

    17.4 mi · 21 min · Highway 20

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East Pearl Street

    1980 ft · 56 sec · East Pearl Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    705 ft · 31 sec · South Main Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Highway 281
88.4 mi · 68%
North Highway 281
18.7 mi · 14%
Highway 20
17.4 mi · 13%
North Sycamore Street
1.53 mi · 1%
2nd Street
1.07 mi · 1%
North Broadwell Avenue
1 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Highway 281

Continue on Highway 281

47.4 mi · 00h 55m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.7 mi
115.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bartlett
01h 17m from Grand Island
Leave By
1:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Grand Island and Mostly Cloudy near Atkinson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Grand Island to Atkinson?

The road trip is about 130.5 miles (210 km) and usually takes 02h 35m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Bartlett is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.2 miles from Grand Island and 65.2 miles from Atkinson.

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

The direct path is about 115.8 miles (186.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.35 one way or $34.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Grand Island and Mostly Cloudy near Atkinson.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Grand Island and Atkinson. Straight-line distance: 115.74 mi (186.26 km).

Grand Island

#1 Grand Island

The most populous city in Hall County, Nebraska.

Population51,004
Coordinates40.9250100, -98.3420100
Altitude567
CountryUnited States
Atkinson

#2 Atkinson

Town in Nebraska, United States

Population1,221
Coordinates42.5313900, -98.9781500
Altitude642
CountryUnited States
Start: Grand Island (-98.34201, 40.92501)
End: Atkinson (-98.97815, 42.53139)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 210 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.6 gal
17.43 L · about $17.35
Round trip
$34.69
9.2 gal · 34.86 L
Estimated CO2
40.9 kg one way
Round trip: 81.8 kg / 180 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.35 $34.69
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.56 $39.13
Premium $4.65 $21.41 $42.82
Diesel $5.30 $24.40 $48.80

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Grand Island and Atkinson. The current time is 10:31:53.

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.