How far is Lincoln, NE from Battle Creek, NE?

The driving distance from Lincoln, NE to Battle Creek, NE is about 127.6 miles (205.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 95.9 miles (154.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 12m 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
127.55 mi
02h 36m
Flight
95.91 mi
154.35 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lincoln.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
95.91 mi
Kilometers
154.35 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
127.55 mi
Kilometers
205.27 km
Drive Time
02h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Battle Creek
Thu, Apr 16, 11:24 AM CDT
Return by in Lincoln
Thu, Apr 16, 2:00 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lincoln
2026-04-16T08:48
Arrive Battle Creek
Thu, Apr 16, 11:24 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 36m
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 Lincoln
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Shelby
NE

Village in Polk County, Nebraska, United States

From Lincoln
63.8 mi
01h 18m
To Battle Creek
63.8 mi
01h 18m

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
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln and Battle Creek.

  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

    1.6 mi · 2 min · West US Highway 34

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Northwest 56th Street

    6.6 mi · 8 min · Northwest 56th Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Nebraska Highway 79

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Nebraska Highway 79

  11. 11

    Continue on Highway 79

    1.6 km · 1 min · Highway 79

  12. 12

    Continue on County Road 28

    1.1 mi · 1 min · County Road 28

  13. 13

    Turn left onto South Street

    1746 ft · 35 sec · South Street

  14. 14

    Continue on County Road B

    3.7 mi · 4 min · County Road B

  15. 15

    Continue on 23 Road

    10 mi · 12 min · 23 Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto O Road

    9 mi · 10 min · O Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto 32 Road

    2.3 mi · 3 min · 32 Road

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto 31 Road

    12.2 mi · 14 min · 31 Road

  19. 19

    Turn right onto A Road

    16.5 mi · 20 min · A Road

  20. 20

    Turn left onto 14th Street

    714 ft · 16 sec · 14th Street

  21. 21

    Turn slight right onto Howard Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · Howard Boulevard

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Howard Boulevard

    28.1 mi · 30 min · Howard Boulevard

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Skyline Road

    1980 ft · 33 sec · Skyline Road

  24. 24

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Industrial Parkway

    1.4 km · 1 min · Industrial Parkway

  25. 25

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West 3rd Street

    1464 ft · 29 sec · West 3rd Street

  26. 26

    Continue on Highway 32

    6.8 mi · 9 min · Highway 32

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Highway 121

    11.2 mi · 14 min · Highway 121

  28. 28

    Turn straight onto South 4th Street

    2928 ft · 1 min · South 4th Street

  29. 29

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    741 ft · 20 sec · West Main Street

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
30 steps
20 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Howard Boulevard
28.9 mi · 23%
A Road
16.5 mi · 13%
31 Road
12.2 mi · 10%
Highway 121
11.2 mi · 9%
23 Road
10 mi · 8%
O Road
9.05 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Howard Boulevard

Turn left onto Howard Boulevard

28.1 mi · 00h 30m

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 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.7 mi
95.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Shelby
01h 18m from Lincoln
Leave By
1:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Lincoln and Sunny near Battle Creek.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lincoln to Battle Creek?

The road trip is about 127.6 miles (205.3 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?

Shelby is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.8 miles from Lincoln and 63.8 miles from Battle Creek.

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

The direct path is about 95.9 miles (154.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.7 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 $16.97 one way or $33.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lincoln and Sunny near Battle Creek.

Stop Ideas Near Shelby

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

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

RAIL

Lincoln

73 mi away
201 North 7th St.
RAIL

Hastings

105 mi away
501 West First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lincoln and Battle Creek. Straight-line distance: 95.91 mi (154.35 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
Battle Creek

#2 Battle Creek

City in Madison County, Nebraska, United States

Population1,156
Coordinates41.9994500, -97.5983900
Altitude484
CountryUnited States
Start: Lincoln (-96.66696, 40.8)
End: Battle Creek (-97.59839, 41.99945)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 205 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.5 gal
17.04 L · about $16.97
Round trip
$33.94
9 gal · 34.08 L
Estimated CO2
40 kg one way
Round trip: 80 kg / 176 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.97 $33.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.14 $38.28
Premium $4.65 $20.94 $41.89
Diesel $5.30 $23.87 $47.74

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 Battle Creek. The current time is 08:48:26.

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.