How far is Lincoln, NE from Wood River, NE?

The driving distance from Lincoln, NE to Wood River, NE is about 105.2 miles (169.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 101.1 miles (162.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 58m 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
105.23 mi
01h 59m
Flight
101.1 mi
162.71 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
101.1 mi
Kilometers
162.71 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
105.23 mi
Kilometers
169.35 km
Drive Time
01h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wood River
Sat, Apr 18, 11:29 PM CDT
Return by in Lincoln
Sun, Apr 19, 1:28 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lincoln
2026-04-18T21:30
Arrive Wood River
Sat, Apr 18, 11:29 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:59 AM to 11:59 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:32 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
York
NE

City in Nebraska, USA

From Lincoln
52.5 mi
00h 59m
To Wood River
52.8 mi
00h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph NW
Destination
57°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln and Wood River.

  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

    1983 ft · 55 sec · A Street

  4. 4

    Turn slight right onto Capitol Parkway

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Capitol Parkway

  5. 5

    Continue on L Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · L Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Rosa Parks Way

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Rosa Parks Way

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 77 north, To I 80

    1619 ft · 40 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Homestead Expressway

    1.2 km · 57 sec · Homestead Expressway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Grand Island

    1.3 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    91.1 mi · 1 hr 34 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward NE 40C Link: Alda

    2054 ft · 53 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South Alda Road

    1.6 km · 1 min · South Alda Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West Schultz Road

    5.1 mi · 7 min · West Schultz Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Elm Street

    3184 ft · 56 sec · Elm Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto West Highway 30

    1.1 km · 1 min · West Highway 30

  16. 16

    Turn sharp right onto East Street

    18 m · 3 sec · East Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
91.9 mi · 87%
West Schultz Road
5.09 mi · 5%
Rosa Parks Way
1.91 mi · 2%
Capitol Parkway
1.18 mi · 1%
South Alda Road
0.96 mi · 1%
L Street
0.94 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Merge slight left

91.1 mi · 01h 34m

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 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.1 mi
101.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
York
00h 59m from Lincoln
Leave By
2:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Lincoln and Sunny near Wood River.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lincoln to Wood River?

The road trip is about 105.2 miles (169.3 km) and usually takes 01h 59m 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?

York is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.5 miles from Lincoln and 52.8 miles from Wood River.

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

The direct path is about 101.1 miles (162.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.99 one way or $27.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Lincoln and Sunny near Wood River.

Stop Ideas Near York

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

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

RAIL

Hastings

74 mi away
501 West First St.
RAIL

Lincoln

74 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lincoln and Wood River. Straight-line distance: 101.1 mi (162.71 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Wood River

City in Nebraska

Population1,307
Coordinates40.8205700, -98.6000700
Altitude599
CountryUnited States
Start: Lincoln (-96.66696, 40.8)
End: Wood River (-98.60007, 40.82057)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 169 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.71 gal
14.06 L · about $13.99
Round trip
$27.98
7.42 gal · 28.12 L
Estimated CO2
33 kg one way
Round trip: 65.9 kg / 145 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.99 $27.98
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.78 $31.56
Premium $4.65 $17.27 $34.53
Diesel $5.30 $19.68 $39.36

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 · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Lincoln and Wood River. The current time is 21:30:42.

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.