How far is McCook, NE from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance from McCook, NE to Lincoln, NE is about 231 miles (371.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 212 miles (341.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 23m 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 03h 41m.
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.
City in Buffalo County, Nebraska, U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McCook and Lincoln.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McCook and Lincoln.
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1
Start on Norris Avenue
1011 ft · 22 sec · Norris Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East H Street
1.3 km · 1 min · East H Street
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3
Turn right onto East 11th Street
2219 ft · 50 sec · East 11th Street
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4
Turn left onto East B Street
2595 ft · 1 min · East B Street
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5
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
9.8 mi · 11 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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6
Continue on D Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · D Street
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7
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
4.9 mi · 6 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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8
Continue on Maple Street
1.6 km · 1 min · Maple Street
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9
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
6.8 mi · 8 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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10
Continue on Nasby Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Nasby Street
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11
Continue on 6 & 34 Highway Street
8.2 mi · 10 min · 6 & 34 Highway Street
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12
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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13
Continue on Chestnut Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Chestnut Street
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14
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
30.1 mi · 35 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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15
Continue on West Highway 6 - 34
1.5 km · 2 min · West Highway 6 - 34
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16
Continue on West 4th Avenue
1964 ft · 50 sec · West 4th Avenue
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17
Continue on 4th Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · 4th Avenue
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18
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
14.7 mi · 18 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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19
Turn left
12.6 mi · 15 min
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20
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 East
1700 ft · 42 sec
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21
Merge slight left
124 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska City
2614 ft · 44 sec
-
23
Continue on Homestead Expressway
1.2 km · 55 sec · Homestead Expressway
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward Rosa Parks Way
959 ft · 23 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Rosa Parks Way, Downtown Lincoln
635 ft · 18 sec
-
26
Turn slight left onto Rosa Parks Way
2 mi · 3 min · Rosa Parks Way
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27
Continue on K Street
1 mi · 3 min · K Street
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28
Continue on Capitol Parkway
1 mi · 2 min · Capitol Parkway
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29
Turn left onto A Street
2046 ft · 1 min · A Street
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30
Turn left onto South 37th Street
103 m · 17 sec · South 37th Street
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31
Turn right onto B Street
93 m · 11 sec · B Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · B Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McCook and Lincoln.
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 East
Merge slight left
124 mi · 02h 08m
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.
Sunny leaving McCook and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lincoln.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McCook to Lincoln?
The road trip is about 231 miles (371.7 km) and usually takes 03h 41m 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?
Gibbon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.5 miles from McCook and 115.4 miles from Lincoln.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 212 miles (341.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 19 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 9:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.73 one way or $61.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around McCook and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lincoln.
Stop Ideas Near Gibbon
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 Gibbon.
Hastings
Holdrege
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McCook and Lincoln. Straight-line distance: 212.03 mi (341.23 km).
#1 McCook
McCook is a city in Red Willow County, Nebraska.
| Population | 7,499 |
| Coordinates | 40.2019500, -100.6257100 |
| Altitude | 784 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: B Street (-96.66696, 40.799868)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 372 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.73 | $61.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.66 | $69.32 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.93 | $75.86 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $43.23 | $86.46 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.