How far is Lincoln, NE from Madison, NE?
The driving distance from Lincoln, NE to Madison, NE is about 108.6 miles (174.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 82 miles (131.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 24m 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 12m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Butler County, Nebraska, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lincoln and Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln and Madison.
-
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
-
5
Continue on L Street
1.4 km · 2 min · L Street
-
6
Turn right onto South 10th Street
3.7 mi · 6 min · South 10th Street
-
7
Turn straight onto Purple Heart Highway
3 mi · 4 min · Purple Heart Highway
-
8
Continue on West US Highway 34
1.6 mi · 2 min · West US Highway 34
-
9
Turn right onto Northwest 56th Street
6.6 mi · 8 min · Northwest 56th Street
-
10
Continue on Nebraska Highway 79
4.8 mi · 6 min · Nebraska Highway 79
-
11
Continue on Highway 79
1.6 km · 1 min · Highway 79
-
12
Continue on County Road 28
1.1 mi · 1 min · County Road 28
-
13
Turn left onto South Street
1746 ft · 35 sec · South Street
-
14
Continue on County Road B
3.7 mi · 4 min · County Road B
-
15
Continue on 23 Road
10 mi · 12 min · 23 Road
-
16
Turn right onto O Road
9 mi · 10 min · O Road
-
17
Turn left onto 32 Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · 32 Road
-
18
Turn straight onto 31 Road
12.2 mi · 14 min · 31 Road
-
19
Turn right onto A Road
16.5 mi · 20 min · A Road
-
20
Turn left onto 14th Street
714 ft · 16 sec · 14th Street
-
21
Turn slight right onto Howard Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · Howard Boulevard
-
22
Turn left onto Howard Boulevard
28.4 mi · 31 min · Howard Boulevard
-
23
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.4 km · 2 min · South Main Street
-
24
Turn left
5 m · 1 sec
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lincoln and Madison.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Howard Boulevard
Turn left onto Howard Boulevard
28.4 mi · 00h 31m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lincoln and Chance Rain Showers near Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lincoln to Madison?
The road trip is about 108.6 miles (174.7 km) and usually takes 02h 12m 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?
Garrison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.2 miles from Lincoln and 54.2 miles from Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 82 miles (131.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.6 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 2:06 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.44 one way or $28.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lincoln and Chance Rain Showers near Madison.
Stop Ideas Near Garrison
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 Garrison.
Lincoln
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lincoln and Madison. Straight-line distance: 81.98 mi (131.94 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 Madison
City in Madison County, Florida, United States
| Population | 2,343 |
| Coordinates | 41.8283400, -97.4550500 |
| Altitude | 483 |
| Country | United States |
End: Madison (-97.45505, 41.82834)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 175 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $14.44 | $28.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $16.29 | $32.58 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $17.82 | $35.65 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $20.31 | $40.63 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.