How far is Omaha, NE from Lincoln, NE?

The driving distance from Omaha, NE to Lincoln, NE is about 56.9 miles (91.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 49.3 miles (79.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 06m 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
56.89 mi
01h 03m
Flight
49.27 mi
79.3 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Omaha.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
49.27 mi
Kilometers
79.3 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
56.89 mi
Kilometers
91.56 km
Drive Time
01h 03m

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 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lincoln
Wed, Apr 22, 4:32 PM CDT
Return by in Omaha
Wed, Apr 22, 5:36 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Omaha
2026-04-22T15:29
Arrive Lincoln
Wed, Apr 22, 4:32 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:03 AM to 11:03 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Omaha
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
South Bend
NE

Human settlement in Cass County, Nebraska, United States of America

From Omaha
28 mi
00h 31m
To Lincoln
29 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 17 mph S
Destination
82°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 22 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Omaha and Lincoln.

  1. 1

    Start on Harney Street

    54 m · 10 sec · Harney Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South 18th Street

    559 ft · 25 sec · South 18th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Saint Mary's Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · Saint Mary's Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South 29th Street

    137 m · 11 sec · South 29th Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward I 480 South, US 75 South

    824 ft · 20 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Gerald R Ford Expressway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Gerald R Ford Expressway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward Gerald R Ford Expressway

    1.3 km · 56 sec · Gerald R Ford Expressway

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    41.7 mi · 44 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6: East Lincoln, Waverly

    1.2 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Turn left onto US Highway 6

    2.3 mi · 3 min · US Highway 6

  11. 11

    Continue on Cornhusker Highway

    4.8 mi · 8 min · Cornhusker Highway

  12. 12

    Turn left onto North 33rd Street

    2 mi · 4 min · North 33rd Street

  13. 13

    Continue on South 33rd Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · South 33rd Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto B Street

    1633 ft · 57 sec · B Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · B Street

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Gerald R Ford Expressway
43.8 mi · 77%
Cornhusker Highway
4.75 mi · 8%
US Highway 6
2.31 mi · 4%
North 33rd Street
2.02 mi · 4%
South 33rd Street
0.94 mi · 2%
Saint Mary's Avenue
0.78 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Gerald R Ford Expressway

Merge slight left

41.7 mi · 00h 44m

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 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.6 mi
49.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
South Bend
00h 31m from Omaha
Leave By
4:24 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Omaha and Sunny near Lincoln.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Omaha to Lincoln?

The road trip is about 56.9 miles (91.6 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?

South Bend is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28 miles from Omaha and 29 miles from Lincoln.

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

The direct path is about 49.3 miles (79.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.6 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 4:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.58 one way or $15.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Omaha and Sunny near Lincoln.

Stop Ideas Near South Bend

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

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

RAIL

Omaha

38 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Lincoln

44 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Omaha and Lincoln. Straight-line distance: 49.27 mi (79.3 km).

Omaha

#1 Omaha

The largest city in Nebraska and the center of the Omaha metropolitan area.

Population478,393
Coordinates41.2562600, -95.9404300
Altitude323
CountryUnited States
Lincoln

#2 Lincoln

The capital of Nebraska and the center of the Lincoln metropolitan area.

Population290,505
Coordinates40.8000000, -96.6669600
Altitude367
CountryUnited States
Start: Harney Street (-95.940428, 41.256566)
End: B Street (-96.66696, 40.799868)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 92 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.01 gal
7.6 L · about $7.58
Round trip
$15.16
4.02 gal · 15.2 L
Estimated CO2
17.9 kg one way
Round trip: 35.7 kg / 79 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.58 $15.16
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.55 $17.10
Premium $4.65 $9.35 $18.71
Diesel $5.30 $10.66 $21.32

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Omaha and Lincoln. The current time is 15:29:35.

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.