How far is Lincoln, NE from Atkinson, NE?

The driving distance from Lincoln, NE to Atkinson, NE is about 210.6 miles (338.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 169 miles (271.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 34m 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
210.57 mi
04h 17m
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 Lincoln.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
210.57 mi
Kilometers
338.88 km
Drive Time
04h 17m

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 04h 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Atkinson
Thu, Apr 16, 1:05 PM CDT
Return by in Lincoln
Thu, Apr 16, 5:22 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lincoln
2026-04-16T08:47
Arrive Atkinson
Thu, Apr 16, 1:05 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:17 AM to 12:17 PM CDT

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

Leave by
8:26 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lincoln
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 Lincoln
105.2 mi
02h 08m
To Atkinson
105.4 mi
02h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 16 mph SSW
Destination
82°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on B Street

    93 m · 16 sec · B Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South 37th Street

    103 m · 17 sec · South 37th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto A Street

    1983 ft · 55 sec · A Street

  4. 4

    Turn slight right onto Capitol Parkway

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Capitol Parkway

  5. 5

    Continue on L Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · L Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto South 10th Street

    3.7 mi · 6 min · South 10th Street

  7. 7

    Turn straight onto Purple Heart Highway

    3 mi · 4 min · Purple Heart Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on West US Highway 34

    7.8 mi · 9 min · West US Highway 34

  9. 9

    Continue on Alvo Road

    3 mi · 3 min · Alvo Road

  10. 10

    Continue on Highway 34

    2 mi · 2 min · Highway 34

  11. 11

    Continue on McKelvie Road

    4.9 mi · 6 min · McKelvie Road

  12. 12

    Continue on East Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Main Street

  13. 13

    Continue on McKelvie Road

    13.5 mi · 16 min · McKelvie Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Highway 34

    12.1 mi · 14 min · Highway 34

  15. 15

    Turn right

    19 mi · 23 min

  16. 16

    Turn slight left onto County Road 130

    3 mi · 4 min · County Road 130

  17. 17

    Turn right onto County Road J

    8.8 mi · 10 min · County Road J

  18. 18

    Continue on Highway 39

    7.1 mi · 8 min · Highway 39

  19. 19

    Continue on State Highway 39

    3.4 mi · 4 min · State Highway 39

  20. 20

    Continue on State Highway 22

    2650 ft · 35 sec · State Highway 22

  21. 21

    Continue on South Park Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Park Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Willard Avenue

    1976 ft · 39 sec · Willard Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto State Highway 39

    8.7 mi · 10 min · State Highway 39

  24. 24

    Continue on Highway 39

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Highway 39

  25. 25

    Continue on Beaver Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Beaver Street

  26. 26

    Continue on Highway 39

    1.4 km · 1 min · Highway 39

  27. 27

    Continue on Highway 39

    9.2 mi · 11 min · Highway 39

  28. 28

    Continue on Highway 14

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Highway 14

  29. 29

    Continue on West State Street

    1944 ft · 41 sec · West State Street

  30. 30

    Turn right onto South 6th Street

    1979 ft · 39 sec · South 6th Street

  31. 31

    Continue on Highway 14

    12.1 mi · 14 min · Highway 14

  32. 32

    Continue on Front Street

    3224 ft · 1 min · Front Street

  33. 33

    Continue on Highway 14

    8.2 mi · 9 min · Highway 14

  34. 34

    Continue on South 2nd Street

    1 mi · 2 min · South 2nd Street

  35. 35

    Continue on Highway 14

    10.6 mi · 12 min · Highway 14

  36. 36

    Continue on S Street

    1464 ft · 35 sec · S Street

  37. 37

    Turn left onto West 11th Street

    1392 ft · 34 sec · West 11th Street

  38. 38

    Continue on Highway 275

    8.1 mi · 9 min · Highway 275

  39. 39

    Continue on Miles Street

    2496 ft · 32 sec · Miles Street

  40. 40

    Continue on Highway 275

    9.6 mi · 11 min · Highway 275

  41. 41

    Continue on Front Street

    2978 ft · 38 sec · Front Street

  42. 42

    Continue on Highway 275

    7.6 mi · 9 min · Highway 275

  43. 43

    Continue on Highway 20/275

    12.4 mi · 15 min · Highway 20/275

  44. 44

    Continue on East Douglas Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · East Douglas Street

  45. 45

    Continue on Highway 20

    17.4 mi · 21 min · Highway 20

  46. 46

    Turn left onto East Pearl Street

    1980 ft · 56 sec · East Pearl Street

  47. 47

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    705 ft · 31 sec · South Main Street

  48. 48

    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 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
48 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.8 / 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 · 9%
Highway 20
17.4 mi · 8%
Highway 34
14.2 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

19 mi · 00h 23m

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
04h 17m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.6 mi
169 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Edward
02h 08m from Lincoln
Leave By
8:26 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Lincoln and Sunny near Atkinson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 210.6 miles (338.9 km) and usually takes 04h 17m 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 105.2 miles from Lincoln and 105.4 miles from Atkinson.

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 41.6 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 8:26 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.02 one way or $56.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lincoln and Sunny near Atkinson.

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 Lincoln and Atkinson. Straight-line distance: 168.93 mi (271.86 km).

Lincoln

#1 Lincoln

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

Population290,505
Coordinates40.8000000, -96.6669600
Altitude367
CountryUnited States
Atkinson

#2 Atkinson

Town in Nebraska, United States

Population1,221
Coordinates42.5313900, -98.9781500
Altitude642
CountryUnited States
Start: Lincoln (-96.66696, 40.8)
End: Atkinson (-98.97815, 42.53139)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 339 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 12m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.43 gal
28.13 L · about $28.02
Round trip
$56.04
14.86 gal · 56.26 L
Estimated CO2
66 kg one way
Round trip: 132.1 kg / 291 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $28.02 $56.04
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.60 $63.20
Premium $4.65 $34.58 $69.16
Diesel $5.30 $39.41 $78.82

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

There is no time difference between Lincoln and Atkinson. The current time is 08:47:34.

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.