How far is Lincoln, NE from Chadron, NE?
The driving distance from Lincoln, NE to Chadron, NE is about 451.9 miles (727.3 km), with a travel time of about 08h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 354.9 miles (571.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 08h 13m.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lincoln and Chadron.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln and Chadron.
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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
270.2 mi · 4 hr 34 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant
1578 ft · 40 sec
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12
Turn right onto South Highway 26/61
1.1 km · 1 min · South Highway 26/61
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13
Continue on East A Street
2278 ft · 50 sec · East A Street
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 8th Street
101 m · 10 sec · East 8th Street
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15
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Spruce Street
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16
Turn left onto Highway 26 West
24.2 mi · 28 min · Highway 26 West
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17
Continue straight
59.8 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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18
Continue straight
86.2 mi · 1 hr 38 min
-
19
Turn right onto West 10th Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West 10th Street
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20
Turn left onto Main Street
2961 ft · 1 min · Main Street
-
21
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
50 m · 10 sec · East 3rd Street
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22
Turn left
13 m · 3 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lincoln and Chadron.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 80 West
Merge slight left
270 mi · 04h 34m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lincoln and Chance Rain Showers near Chadron.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lincoln to Chadron?
The road trip is about 451.9 miles (727.3 km) and usually takes 08h 13m 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 225.6 miles from Lincoln and 226.3 miles from Chadron.
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 97 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 CDT. 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 $60.15 one way or $120.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 141.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Lincoln and Chadron, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lincoln and Chance Rain Showers near Chadron.
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 Lincoln and Chadron. Straight-line distance: 354.86 mi (571.1 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 Chadron
City in Nebraska
| Population | 5,250 |
| Coordinates | 42.8294200, -102.9999100 |
| Altitude | 1030 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chadron (-102.99991, 42.82942)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 727 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 15h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $60.15 | $120.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $67.84 | $135.67 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $74.23 | $148.46 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $84.60 | $169.20 |
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.