How far is Lincoln, NE from Valentine, NE?
The driving distance from Lincoln, NE to Valentine, NE is about 308 miles (495.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 245.9 miles (395.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 51m 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 05h 55m.
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.
Human settlement in Custer County, Nebraska, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lincoln and Valentine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln and Valentine.
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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
84.6 mi · 1 hr 28 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 34, US 281: Grand Island, Hastings
1422 ft · 35 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on US 34, US 281: Grand Island, Hastings
1100 ft · 29 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto US Highway 281
4.5 mi · 5 min · US Highway 281
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14
Continue on Highway 281
4.3 mi · 6 min · Highway 281
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15
Take the exit straight toward NE 2 West: Broken Bow
1354 ft · 37 sec
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16
Continue on West Highway 2
15.7 mi · 18 min · West Highway 2
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17
Continue on West Nebraska Highway 2
2.7 mi · 3 min · West Nebraska Highway 2
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18
Continue on Highway 2
57.7 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Highway 2
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19
Continue on South E Street
2.1 mi · 2 min · South E Street
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20
Continue on Highway 2
65.5 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Highway 2
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21
Turn right onto Highway 83
58.1 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Highway 83
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22
Continue straight
5.2 mi · 7 min
-
23
Turn right onto South Main Street
1892 ft · 30 sec · South Main Street
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24
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
34 m · 5 sec · West 2nd Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lincoln and Valentine.
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
84.6 mi · 01h 28m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lincoln and Mostly Sunny near Valentine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lincoln to Valentine?
The road trip is about 308 miles (495.6 km) and usually takes 05h 55m 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?
Mason City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 153.8 miles from Lincoln and 154.2 miles from Valentine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 245.9 miles (395.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.1 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 5:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.99 one way or $81.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lincoln and Mostly Sunny near Valentine.
Stop Ideas Near Mason City
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 Mason City.
Holdrege
Hastings
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lincoln and Valentine. Straight-line distance: 245.9 mi (395.73 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 Valentine
City in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,745 |
| Coordinates | 42.8727800, -100.5509700 |
| Altitude | 787 |
| Country | United States |
End: Valentine (-100.55097, 42.87278)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 496 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.99 | $81.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.23 | $92.46 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.59 | $101.18 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.65 | $115.31 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.