How far is Papillion, NE from McCook, NE?
The driving distance from Papillion, NE to McCook, NE is about 274.6 miles (441.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249 miles (400.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 36m 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 04h 18m.
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 Hall County, Nebraska, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Papillion and McCook.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Papillion and McCook.
-
1
Start on East Lincoln Street
60 m · 16 sec · East Lincoln Street
-
2
Turn left onto South Washington Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South Washington Street
-
3
Turn right onto Highway 370
6.3 mi · 9 min · Highway 370
-
4
Turn left onto I 80 West: Lincoln
2360 ft · 29 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
165.7 mi · 2 hr 50 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
1748 ft · 32 sec
-
7
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
12.9 mi · 16 min · 2nd Avenue
-
8
Turn right onto Highway 6
5.1 mi · 6 min · Highway 6
-
9
Continue on US Highway 6 & 34
9.6 mi · 11 min · US Highway 6 & 34
-
10
Continue on 4th Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · 4th Avenue
-
11
Continue on West 4th Avenue
2008 ft · 49 sec · West 4th Avenue
-
12
Continue on US Highway 6 & 34
9.2 mi · 11 min · US Highway 6 & 34
-
13
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
21.8 mi · 25 min · Highway 6 & 34
-
14
Continue on Chestnut Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Chestnut Street
-
15
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
5.1 mi · 6 min · Highway 6 & 34
-
16
Continue on 6 & 34 Highway Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 6 & 34 Highway Street
-
17
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
15.4 mi · 19 min · Highway 6 & 34
-
18
Continue on Maple Street
1.6 km · 1 min · Maple Street
-
19
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
4.9 mi · 6 min · Highway 6 & 34
-
20
Continue on D Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · D Street
-
21
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
9.8 mi · 11 min · Highway 6 & 34
-
22
Continue on East B Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · East B Street
-
23
Turn right onto Norris Avenue
1213 ft · 24 sec · Norris Avenue
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Norris Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Papillion and McCook.
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 West
Merge slight left
166 mi · 02h 50m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Papillion and Sunny near McCook.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Papillion to McCook?
The road trip is about 274.6 miles (441.9 km) and usually takes 04h 18m 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?
Alda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.2 miles from Papillion and 137.4 miles from McCook.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249 miles (400.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.54 one way or $73.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Papillion and Sunny near McCook.
Stop Ideas Near Alda
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 Alda.
Hastings
Holdrege
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Papillion and McCook. Straight-line distance: 248.99 mi (400.71 km).
#1 Papillion
City in and county seat of Sarpy County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 20,293 |
| Coordinates | 41.1544400, -96.0422400 |
| Altitude | 308 |
| Country | United States |
#2 McCook
McCook is a city in Red Willow County, Nebraska.
| Population | 7,499 |
| Coordinates | 40.2019500, -100.6257100 |
| Altitude | 784 |
| Country | United States |
End: Norris Avenue (-100.625785, 40.201952)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 442 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.54 | $73.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.21 | $82.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.10 | $90.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $51.40 | $102.79 |
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.