Origin
Atkinson, NE
Late night in Atkinson on Wednesday
Local time
4:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Atkinson, NE to Lincoln, NE
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
210.7 mi
339 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 5m
★
6 AM
4h 18m
8 AM
4h 44m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 43m
8 PM
4h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lincoln, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Atkinson, NE to Lincoln, NE covers 210.7 miles and takes about 4h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 14, Highway 275, Highway 39 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32 miles on Highway 14. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.94 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
105.3 miles from Atkinson, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 4h 18m highway drive covering 210.7 miles, with most of the trip on Highway 14 and Highway 275. The longest continuous stretch is about 32 miles on Highway 14.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 51 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 14 is the longest continuous segment at about 32 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 14 and Highway 275. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Pearl Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 18m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Pearl Street): Navigation decision point; at 58 miles (N-14 / S Street): Navigation decision point; at 137.7 miles (US 81 / Center Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Pearl Street
Turn left onto East Pearl Street
Navigation decision point
5
58 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
N-14 / S Street
Turn right onto N-14 / S Street
Navigation decision point
5
137.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
US 81 / Center Road
Turn sharp right onto US 81 / Center Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
208.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m in
|
K Street
Turn left onto K Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
210.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 17m in
|
B Street
Turn right onto B Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 14 | 32 mi | 37m |
| Highway 275 | 25.3 mi | 29m |
| Highway 39 | 18.6 mi | 21m |
| McKelvie Road | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Center Road | 18 mi | 20m |
| Highway 20 | 17.3 mi | 20m |
| Highway 34 | 14.2 mi | 16m |
| Highway 20/275 | 12.4 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
Highway 14
— 32 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atkinson, NE and Lincoln, NE.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn left onto East Pearl Street
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
East Pearl Street
3
Turn right onto US 20; N-11
299 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Hyde Street
4
Continue on US 20
17 mi
·
20 min
·
Highway 20
5
Continue on US 20; US 281
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Douglas Street
6
Continue on US 20; US 275
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Highway 20/275
7
Continue on US 275
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Highway 275
8
Continue on US 275
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
Front Street
9
Continue on US 275
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Highway 275
10
Continue on US 275
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
Miles Street
11
Continue on US 275
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Highway 275
12
Continue on US 275
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
West 11th Street
13
Turn right onto N-14
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
S Street
14
Continue on N-14
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Highway 14
15
Continue on N-14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Street
16
Continue on N-14
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Highway 14
17
Continue on N-14
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
18
Continue on N-14
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Highway 14
19
Continue on N-14
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
North 6th Street
20
Turn left onto N-14; N-91
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
West State Street
21
Continue on N-14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 14
22
Keep slight left at fork onto N-14
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Highway 14
23
Continue on N-39
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Highway 39
24
Continue on N-39
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 39
25
Continue on N-39
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Beaver Street
26
Continue on N-39
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 39
27
Continue on N-39
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 39
28
Continue on N-39
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Willard Avenue
29
Turn right onto N-22; N-39
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Park Street
30
Continue on N-22; N-39
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
State Highway 22
31
Continue on N-39
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 39
32
Continue on N-39
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Highway 39
33
Continue on N-39
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
County Road J
34
Turn left onto N-92
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road 130
35
Turn sharp right onto US 81
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Center Road
36
Continue on US 81
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
37
Continue on US 81
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Center Road
38
Turn left onto US 34; I 80 Alt
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Highway 34
39
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
13 mi
·
15 min
·
McKelvie Road
40
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
41
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
McKelvie Road
42
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 34
43
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Alvo Road
44
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
West US Highway 34
45
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight lane.
46
Turn left onto K Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
K Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
47
Continue on Capitol Parkway
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Capitol Parkway
Use the straight lane.
48
Turn left onto A Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
A Street
49
Turn left onto South 37th Street
337 ft
·
17 sec
·
South 37th Street
50
Turn right onto B Street
305 ft
·
10 sec
·
B Street
51
Arrive at destination
B Street
Trip Plan
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 105.3 miles from Atkinson, NE, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.3 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
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 Atkinson, 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 Atkinson, NE
This is one driving day of about 210.7 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Atkinson, 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 Highway 14 for about 32 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105.3 mi from Atkinson, NE · 2h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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 105.3 miles from Atkinson, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$32.94 one way
$65.88 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.17 | $72.33 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.55 | $81.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.52 | $93.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.2 | 0 | $22.12 | $10.11 |
| Efficient EV | 52.7 | 0 | $18.44 | $8.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.3 | 1 | $29.50 | $13.48 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Late night in Lincoln on Wednesday
Local time
4:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Columbus, NE
105 mi in
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
34 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
4h 18m 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 Atkinson, NE to Lincoln, NE covers 210.7 miles and takes about 4h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 14, Highway 275, Highway 39. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 105.3 miles from Atkinson, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.94 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 4h 18m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Pearl Street): Navigation decision point; at 58 miles (N-14 / S Street): Navigation decision point; at 137.7 miles (US 81 / Center Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
The route from Atkinson, NE to Lincoln, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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