How far is Papillion, NE from Lincoln, NE?

The driving distance from Papillion, NE to Lincoln, NE is about 47.8 miles (76.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 40.8 miles (65.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 55m 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
47.8 mi
00h 57m
Flight
40.76 mi
65.6 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Papillion.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
40.76 mi
Kilometers
65.6 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
47.8 mi
Kilometers
76.93 km
Drive Time
00h 57m

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 00h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lincoln
Sat, May 2, 11:52 AM CDT
Return by in Papillion
Sat, May 2, 12:50 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Papillion
2026-05-02T10:54
Arrive Lincoln
Sat, May 2, 11:52 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:58 AM to 10:58 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Papillion
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
Ashland
NE

City in Saunders County, Nebraska, United States

From Papillion
23.4 mi
00h 29m
To Lincoln
24.4 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph W
Destination
69°F
Saturday

Areas Of Frost then Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Lincoln Street

    60 m · 16 sec · East Lincoln Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Washington Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · South Washington Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Highway 370

    6.3 mi · 9 min · Highway 370

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I 80 West: Lincoln

    2360 ft · 29 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    28.1 mi · 28 min

  6. 6

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

    1.2 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto US Highway 6

    2.3 mi · 3 min · US Highway 6

  8. 8

    Continue on Cornhusker Highway

    4.8 mi · 8 min · Cornhusker Highway

  9. 9

    Turn left onto North 33rd Street

    2 mi · 4 min · North 33rd Street

  10. 10

    Continue on South 33rd Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · South 33rd Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto B Street

    1633 ft · 57 sec · B Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · B Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Papillion 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
12 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
28.5 mi · 60%
Highway 370
6.28 mi · 13%
Cornhusker Highway
4.75 mi · 10%
US Highway 6
2.31 mi · 5%
North 33rd Street
2.02 mi · 4%
South Washington Street
0.99 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Merge slight left

28.1 mi · 00h 28m

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
00h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7 mi
40.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashland
00h 29m from Papillion
Leave By
4:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Papillion and Areas Of Frost then Sunny near Lincoln.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 47.8 miles (76.9 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?

Ashland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.4 miles from Papillion and 24.4 miles from Lincoln.

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

The direct path is about 40.8 miles (65.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 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 4:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.37 one way or $12.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Papillion and Areas Of Frost then Sunny near Lincoln.

Stop Ideas Near Ashland

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

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

RAIL

Lincoln

38 mi away
201 North 7th St.
RAIL

Omaha

44 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Papillion and Lincoln. Straight-line distance: 40.76 mi (65.6 km).

Papillion

#1 Papillion

City in and county seat of Sarpy County, Nebraska, United States

Population20,293
Coordinates41.1544400, -96.0422400
Altitude308
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: East Lincoln Street (-96.042241, 41.154416)
End: B Street (-96.66696, 40.799868)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 77 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.69 gal
6.39 L · about $6.37
Round trip
$12.75
3.38 gal · 12.78 L
Estimated CO2
15 kg one way
Round trip: 30 kg / 66 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.37 $12.75
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.19 $14.38
Premium $4.65 $7.87 $15.73
Diesel $5.30 $8.96 $17.93

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Papillion and Lincoln. The current time is 10:54:29.

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.