How far is Lincoln, NE from Lexington, NE?
The driving distance from Lincoln, NE to Lexington, NE is about 169 miles (271.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 160.8 miles (258.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 32m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Hamilton County, Nebraska
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lincoln and Lexington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln and Lexington.
-
1
Start on B Street
93 m · 16 sec · B Street
-
2
Turn left onto South 37th Street
103 m · 17 sec · South 37th Street
-
3
Turn right onto A Street
1983 ft · 55 sec · A Street
-
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
-
6
Continue on Rosa Parks Way
1.9 mi · 3 min · Rosa Parks Way
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward US 77 north, To I 80
1619 ft · 40 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Homestead Expressway
1.2 km · 57 sec · Homestead Expressway
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Grand Island
1.3 km · 2 min
-
10
Merge slight left
159.6 mi · 2 hr 43 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 283: Lexington, Arapahoe
1896 ft · 34 sec
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on US 283 North: Lexington
54 m · 6 sec
-
13
Turn straight onto Plum Creek Parkway
2.3 mi · 4 min · Plum Creek Parkway
-
14
Continue on North Jackson Street
813 ft · 20 sec · North Jackson Street
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15
Turn left onto East 6th Street
759 ft · 23 sec · East 6th Street
-
16
Turn right onto North Washington Street
735 ft · 20 sec · North Washington Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lincoln and Lexington.
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
160 mi · 02h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Areas Of Frost then Sunny leaving Lincoln and Sunny near Lexington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lincoln to Lexington?
The road trip is about 169 miles (271.9 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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?
Phillips is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.4 miles from Lincoln and 84.6 miles from Lexington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 160.8 miles (258.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.2 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 1:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.48 one way or $44.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Sunny around Lincoln and Sunny near Lexington.
Stop Ideas Near Phillips
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 Phillips.
Hastings
Holdrege
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lincoln and Lexington. Straight-line distance: 160.83 mi (258.83 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 Lexington
City in Dawson County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 10,109 |
| Coordinates | 40.7808400, -99.7415000 |
| Altitude | 729 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Washington Street (-99.741509, 40.78084)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 272 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.48 | $44.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.35 | $50.70 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.74 | $55.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.61 | $63.22 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.