How far is Lincoln, NE from Cozad, NE?
The driving distance from Lincoln, NE to Cozad, NE is about 182.4 miles (293.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 173.6 miles (279.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 28m 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 03h 14m.
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.
Township in Hall County, Nebraska
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lincoln and Cozad.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln and Cozad.
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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
174.4 mi · 2 hr 58 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NE 21: Cozad
1916 ft · 33 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on NE 21 North: Cozad
48 m · 6 sec
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13
Turn straight onto South Meridian Avenue
3204 ft · 1 min · South Meridian Avenue
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14
Continue on State Highway 21
1610 ft · 39 sec · State Highway 21
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15
Continue on E Street
132 m · 22 sec · E Street
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16
Turn left onto East 8th Street
1140 ft · 39 sec · East 8th Street
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17
Turn right onto H Street
21 m · 3 sec · H Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · H Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lincoln and Cozad.
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
174 mi · 02h 58m
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.
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Lincoln and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Cozad.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lincoln to Cozad?
The road trip is about 182.4 miles (293.6 km) and usually takes 03h 14m 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?
Doniphan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91 miles from Lincoln and 91.4 miles from Cozad.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 173.6 miles (279.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 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 10:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.29 one way or $48.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny around Lincoln and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Cozad.
Stop Ideas Near Doniphan
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 Doniphan.
Hastings
Holdrege
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lincoln and Cozad. Straight-line distance: 173.63 mi (279.43 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 Cozad
City in Nebraska
| Population | 3,715 |
| Coordinates | 40.8597300, -99.9873400 |
| Altitude | 759 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cozad (-99.98734, 40.85973)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 294 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.29 | $48.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.39 | $54.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.97 | $59.94 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.16 | $68.32 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.