How far is Lincoln, NE from Ainsworth, NE?
The driving distance from Lincoln, NE to Ainsworth, NE is about 261.2 miles (420.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 204.5 miles (329.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 05h 09m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Howard County, Nebraska, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lincoln and Ainsworth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln and Ainsworth.
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1
Start on B Street
93 m · 16 sec · B Street
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2
Turn left onto South 37th Street
103 m · 17 sec · South 37th Street
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3
Turn right onto A Street
1983 ft · 55 sec · A Street
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4
Turn slight right onto Capitol Parkway
1.2 mi · 3 min · Capitol Parkway
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5
Continue on L Street
1.5 km · 3 min · L Street
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6
Continue on Rosa Parks Way
1.9 mi · 3 min · Rosa Parks Way
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 77 north, To I 80
1619 ft · 40 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Homestead Expressway
1.2 km · 57 sec · Homestead Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Grand Island
1.3 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left
78.7 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NE 2: Grand Island
1912 ft · 49 sec
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12
Turn right onto Highway 2
3.3 mi · 4 min · Highway 2
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13
Turn left onto Highway 34
2.6 mi · 3 min · Highway 34
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14
Turn right onto South Shady Bend Road
4.1 mi · 7 min · South Shady Bend Road
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15
Turn left onto East Capital Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · East Capital Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Sky Park Road
1 mi · 1 min · Sky Park Road
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17
Turn left onto East Airport Road
2 mi · 3 min · East Airport Road
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18
Turn right onto North Highway 281
18.6 mi · 21 min · North Highway 281
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19
Continue on 2nd Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · 2nd Street
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20
Turn left onto Highway 92
5.5 mi · 7 min · Highway 92
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21
Turn right onto Highway 11
22.7 mi · 27 min · Highway 11
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22
Continue on 1st Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 1st Street
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23
Continue on Highway 11
11.9 mi · 14 min · Highway 11
-
24
Continue on South 14th Street
2169 ft · 49 sec · South 14th Street
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25
Turn left onto L Street
1.4 km · 2 min · L Street
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26
Turn right onto Highway 11
15.2 mi · 18 min · Highway 11
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27
Turn left onto Highway 91
1.6 km · 1 min · Highway 91
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28
Turn right onto Highway 96
2646 ft · 37 sec · Highway 96
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29
Continue on South 13th Avenue
2406 ft · 48 sec · South 13th Avenue
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30
Turn slight left onto Highway 96
19 mi · 24 min · Highway 96
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31
At the end of the road, turn right onto Highway 183
46.5 mi · 54 min · Highway 183
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32
Turn left onto Highway 20
7.5 mi · 9 min · Highway 20
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33
Continue on US Highway 20
8.5 mi · 10 min · US Highway 20
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34
Continue on East 4th Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East 4th Street
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35
Turn right onto North Main Street
13 m · 2 sec · North Main Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lincoln and Ainsworth.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 West
Merge slight left
78.7 mi · 01h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Lincoln and Mostly Clear near Ainsworth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lincoln to Ainsworth?
The road trip is about 261.2 miles (420.3 km) and usually takes 05h 09m 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?
Elba is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.4 miles from Lincoln and 130.7 miles from Ainsworth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 204.5 miles (329.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.73 one way or $69.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lincoln and Mostly Clear near Ainsworth.
Stop Ideas Near Elba
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 Elba.
Hastings
Holdrege
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lincoln and Ainsworth. Straight-line distance: 204.47 mi (329.07 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Ainsworth
City in Brown County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 1,630 |
| Coordinates | 42.5500000, -99.8626200 |
| Altitude | 768 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ainsworth (-99.86262, 42.55)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 420 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.73 | $69.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.17 | $78.34 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.86 | $85.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.85 | $97.70 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.