Origin
Ainsworth, NE
Night in Ainsworth on Tuesday
Local time
10:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ainsworth, NE to Lincoln, NE
Data updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
5h 8m
Distance
260.8 mi
420 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 55m
★
6 AM
5h 9m
8 AM
5h 36m
10 AM
5h 18m
12 PM
5h 15m
3 PM
5h 19m
5 PM
5h 34m
8 PM
5h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ainsworth, NE
cottonbro studio
Lincoln, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 260.8-mile drive from Ainsworth, NE to Lincoln, NE will take approximately 5 hours and 8 minutes of pure driving time. Given its manageable length and the fact that it's entirely within Nebraska's Great Plains region, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip. You'll be spending about 68% of your time on highways, making for a relatively efficient journey. Budget around $41 for fuel. The overall feel is that of a straightforward, practical drive across the heartland.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
130.4 miles from Ainsworth, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for this journey, with 68% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 78.4 miles on I 80, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While primarily highway, the route also incorporates segments of Highway 11 and Clark Street, adding some local road variety. This blend means you'll experience both efficient travel and glimpses of the Nebraska landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 78.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Highway 11. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 175.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 8m drive. You will face about 21 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 175.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 254.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
175.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
Take the ramp toward I 80 east
Navigation decision point
Toward I 80 east
6
254.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 397
Toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska...
6
255.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m in
Take the exit toward Rosa Parks Way
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Rosa Parks Way
7
256.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Rosa Parks Way, Downtown Lincoln
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Rosa Parks Way, Downtown Lincoln
5
260.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 8m in
|
B Street
Turn right onto B Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 78.4 mi | 1h 21m |
| Highway 11 | 49.9 mi | 58m |
| Clark Street | 46.5 mi | 53m |
| 2nd Street | 19.7 mi | 22m |
| Highway 96 | 19.5 mi | 24m |
| US Highway 20 | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| Highway 20 | 7.5 mi | 8m |
| Highway 92 | 5.5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ainsworth, NE and Lincoln, NE.
1
Start on North Main Street
41 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 20; N-7
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East 4th Street
3
Continue on US 20; N-7
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 20
4
Continue on US 20; US 183; N-7
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Highway 20
5
Turn right onto US 183
47 mi
·
53 min
·
Clark Street
6
Turn left onto N-96
19 mi
·
23 min
·
Highway 96
7
Continue on N-96
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
North 13th Avenue
8
Continue on N-96
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Highway 96
9
Turn left onto N-91
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 91
10
Turn right onto N-11
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Highway 11
11
Turn left onto N-11; N-70
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
L Street
12
Turn right onto N-11
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
South 14th Street
13
Continue on N-11
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Highway 11
14
Continue on N-11
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street
15
Continue on N-11
23 mi
·
26 min
·
Highway 11
16
Turn left onto N-92
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Highway 92
17
Turn right onto US 281; N-92
20 mi
·
22 min
·
2nd Street
18
Turn left onto US 30 Truck; US 281 Truck; NE 2 Truck
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Airport Road
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 30 Truck; US 281 Truck; NE 2 Truck
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Sky Park Road
20
Turn left onto US 30 Truck; US 281 Truck; NE 2 Truck
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Capital Avenue
21
Turn right onto North Shady Bend Road
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
North Shady Bend Road
22
Turn left onto US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 34
23
Turn right onto N-2; I 80 Alt
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 2
24
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 80 east
25
Merge onto I 80
78 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 80
26
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 397
Toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska City
27
Continue on US 77
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
·
Homestead Expressway
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Rosa Parks Way
Use the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Rosa Parks Way, Downtown Lincoln
30
Turn slight left onto Rosa Parks Way
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Rosa Parks Way
31
Continue on K Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
K Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Continue on Capitol Parkway
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Capitol Parkway
Use the straight lane.
33
Turn left onto A Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
A Street
34
Turn left onto South 37th Street
337 ft
·
17 sec
·
South 37th Street
35
Turn right onto B Street
305 ft
·
10 sec
·
B Street
36
Arrive at destination
B Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Ainsworth to maximize your daylight and flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you hit I 80. The $41 fuel cost is manageable, but it's always wise to top off your tank before leaving Ainsworth, as services can be spread out between towns. Pay attention to your surroundings as you transition from Highway 11 onto I 80, as this is a key point in the route.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 130.4 miles from Ainsworth, NE, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.4 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lincoln, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ainsworth, NE so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ainsworth, NE
This is one driving day of about 260.8 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ainsworth, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 130.4 mi from Ainsworth, NE · 2h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 130.4 miles from Ainsworth, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 miles.
Arriving in Lincoln, NE
The final approach into Lincoln, NE usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lincoln, NE.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.77 one way
$81.55 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $44.77 | $89.53 |
| premium | $4.89 | $50.19 | $100.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $57.58 | $115.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.2 | 0 | $27.38 | $12.52 |
| Efficient EV | 65.2 | 0 | $22.82 | $10.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.3 | 1 | $36.51 | $16.69 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Lincoln, NE
Night in Lincoln on Tuesday
Local time
10:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
29 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 8m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ainsworth, NE to Lincoln, NE covers 260.8 miles and takes about 5h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Highway 11, Clark Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 130.4 miles from Ainsworth, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.77 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 8m drive. You will face about 21 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 175.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 254.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ainsworth, NE to Lincoln, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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