How far is Lincoln, NE from Fairbury, NE?

The driving distance from Lincoln, NE to Fairbury, NE is about 69.2 miles (111.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 53.2 miles (85.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 02m 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
69.13 mi
01h 31m
Flight
53.16 mi
85.55 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
53.16 mi
Kilometers
85.55 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
69.13 mi
Kilometers
111.25 km
Drive Time
01h 31m

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 01h 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fairbury
Fri, May 1, 5:25 PM CDT
Return by in Lincoln
Fri, May 1, 6:57 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lincoln
2026-05-01T15:54
Arrive Fairbury
Fri, May 1, 5:25 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:31 AM to 11:31 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:28 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

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
Pickrell
NE

City in Gage County, Nebraska, United States of America

From Lincoln
34.5 mi
00h 45m
To Fairbury
34.5 mi
00h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Friday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 10 mph NNW
Destination
62°F
Friday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.8 mi · 4 min · A Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South 13th Street

    1.9 mi · 3 min · South 13th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on South 14th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · South 14th Street

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Warlick Boulevard

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Warlick Boulevard

  7. 7

    Turn left onto US Highway 77

    3.4 mi · 4 min · US Highway 77

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on US Highway 77

    1.5 mi · 2 min · US Highway 77

  9. 9

    Continue on South 12th Street

    6.8 mi · 7 min · South 12th Street

  10. 10

    Continue on US Highway 77

    3.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 77

  11. 11

    Continue on Highway 77

    16.3 mi · 18 min · Highway 77

  12. 12

    Continue on North 6th Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · North 6th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Industrial Row

    2588 ft · 57 sec · Industrial Row

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Ashland Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Ashland Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on 1st Street

    661 ft · 13 sec · 1st Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Railroad Street

    1722 ft · 34 sec · Railroad Street

  17. 17

    Continue on North 2nd Street

    2230 ft · 47 sec · North 2nd Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Court Street

    1.6 mi · 4 min · Court Street

  19. 19

    Continue on West Court Street

    93 m · 7 sec · West Court Street

  20. 20

    Continue on South Reed Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Reed Street

  21. 21

    Continue on West US Highway 136

    9.1 mi · 11 min · West US Highway 136

  22. 22

    Continue on Highway 136

    14.8 mi · 19 min · Highway 136

  23. 23

    Continue on 14th Street

    733 ft · 20 sec · 14th Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto K Street

    1 km · 1 min · K Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto 6th Street

    2638 ft · 1 min · 6th Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 6th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
37.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Highway 77
16.3 mi · 24%
Highway 136
14.8 mi · 21%
West US Highway 136
9.05 mi · 13%
US Highway 77
8.67 mi · 13%
South 12th Street
6.81 mi · 10%
South 13th Street
1.88 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Highway 77

Continue on Highway 77

16.3 mi · 00h 18m

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
01h 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16 mi
53.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pickrell
00h 45m from Lincoln
Leave By
3:28 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Lincoln and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Fairbury.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 69.2 miles (111.3 km) and usually takes 01h 31m 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?

Pickrell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.5 miles from Lincoln and 34.5 miles from Fairbury.

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

The direct path is about 53.2 miles (85.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 16 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 3:28 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.20 one way or $18.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny around Lincoln and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Fairbury.

Stop Ideas Near Pickrell

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

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

RAIL

Lincoln

49 mi away
201 North 7th St.
RAIL

Omaha

118 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lincoln and Fairbury. Straight-line distance: 53.16 mi (85.55 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
Fairbury

#2 Fairbury

City in Jefferson County, Nebraska, United States

Population3,646
Coordinates40.1372200, -97.1805900
Altitude404
CountryUnited States
Start: Lincoln (-96.66696, 40.8)
End: Fairbury (-97.18059, 40.13722)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 111 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.44 gal
9.23 L · about $9.20
Round trip
$18.40
4.88 gal · 18.46 L
Estimated CO2
21.7 kg one way
Round trip: 43.4 kg / 96 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.20 $18.40
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.38 $20.75
Premium $4.65 $11.36 $22.71
Diesel $5.30 $12.94 $25.88

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

There is no time difference between Lincoln and Fairbury. The current time is 15:54:25.

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.