How far is Plainview, NE from Lincoln, NE?

The driving distance from Plainview, NE to Lincoln, NE is about 155.2 miles (249.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 121.9 miles (196.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 28m 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
155.17 mi
02h 44m
Flight
121.84 mi
196.09 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Plainview.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
121.84 mi
Kilometers
196.09 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
155.17 mi
Kilometers
249.72 km
Drive Time
02h 44m

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 02h 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lincoln
Thu, Apr 23, 1:16 AM CDT
Return by in Plainview
Thu, Apr 23, 4:00 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Plainview
2026-04-22T22:32
Arrive Lincoln
Thu, Apr 23, 1:16 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:44 AM to 12:44 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:02 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Plainview
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
Columbus
NE

City in Platte County, Nebraska, United States

From Plainview
77.3 mi
01h 22m
To Lincoln
77.9 mi
01h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 28 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 Plainview and Lincoln.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Maple Street

    119 m · 23 sec · South Maple Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Park Avenue

    2416 ft · 58 sec · West Park Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Highway 13

    17.5 mi · 20 min · Highway 13

  4. 4

    Continue on North Lucas Street

    1777 ft · 41 sec · North Lucas Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto West Willow Street

    1887 ft · 38 sec · West Willow Street

  6. 6

    Continue on State Highway 13

    1247 ft · 25 sec · State Highway 13

  7. 7

    Continue on Highway 13

    7 mi · 8 min · Highway 13

  8. 8

    Turn slight right onto Old Hadar Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Old Hadar Road

  9. 9

    Turn left onto West Eisenhower Avenue

    143 m · 17 sec · West Eisenhower Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn right onto North 13th Street

    2 mi · 2 min · North 13th Street

  11. 11

    Continue on South 13th Street

    43.9 mi · 48 min · South 13th Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 45th Avenue

    62 m · 4 sec · 45th Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on Howard Boulevard

    1.5 km · 2 min · Howard Boulevard

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 33rd Avenue

    16.4 mi · 20 min · 33rd Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 31 Road

    12.2 mi · 14 min · 31 Road

  16. 16

    Continue on 32 Road

    2.3 mi · 3 min · 32 Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto O Road

    9 mi · 10 min · O Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto 23 Road

    10 mi · 12 min · 23 Road

  19. 19

    Continue on County Road B

    3.7 mi · 4 min · County Road B

  20. 20

    Continue on South Street

    1748 ft · 39 sec · South Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto County Road 28

    1.1 mi · 1 min · County Road 28

  22. 22

    Continue on Highway 79

    1.6 km · 1 min · Highway 79

  23. 23

    Continue on Nebraska Highway 79

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Nebraska Highway 79

  24. 24

    Continue on Northwest 56th Street

    6.6 mi · 8 min · Northwest 56th Street

  25. 25

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West US Highway 34

    1.6 mi · 2 min · West US Highway 34

  26. 26

    Continue on Purple Heart Highway

    6.8 mi · 10 min · Purple Heart Highway

  27. 27

    Turn left onto K Street

    1 mi · 3 min · K Street

  28. 28

    Continue on Capitol Parkway

    1 mi · 2 min · Capitol Parkway

  29. 29

    Turn left onto A Street

    2046 ft · 60 sec · A Street

  30. 30

    Turn left onto South 37th Street

    103 m · 17 sec · South 37th Street

  31. 31

    Turn right onto B Street

    93 m · 11 sec · B Street

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · B Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
32 steps
17 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South 13th Street
43.9 mi · 28%
Highway 13
24.5 mi · 16%
33rd Avenue
16.4 mi · 11%
31 Road
12.2 mi · 8%
23 Road
10 mi · 6%
O Road
9.05 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

South 13th Street

Continue on South 13th Street

43.9 mi · 00h 48m

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
02h 44m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.3 mi
121.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Columbus
01h 22m from Plainview
Leave By
1:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Plainview and Sunny near Lincoln.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 155.2 miles (249.7 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?

Columbus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.3 miles from Plainview and 77.9 miles from Lincoln.

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

The direct path is about 121.9 miles (196.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.3 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 1:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.67 one way or $41.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Columbus

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

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

RAIL

Lincoln

88 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Plainview and Lincoln. Straight-line distance: 121.84 mi (196.09 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Plainview

City in Pierce County, Nebraska, United States

Population1,197
Coordinates42.3497300, -97.7920100
Altitude513
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: West Locust Street (-97.792009, 42.349612)
End: B Street (-96.66696, 40.799868)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 250 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.48 gal
20.73 L · about $20.67
Round trip
$41.33
10.96 gal · 41.46 L
Estimated CO2
48.7 kg one way
Round trip: 97.4 kg / 215 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.67 $41.33
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.31 $46.61
Premium $4.65 $25.50 $51.01
Diesel $5.30 $29.07 $58.13

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

There is no time difference between Plainview and Lincoln. The current time is 22:32:33.

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.