Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Dakota City, NE to Lincoln, NE

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 34m

Distance

122 mi

196 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 24m ★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 55m
10 AM
2h 42m
12 PM
2h 40m
3 PM
2h 43m
5 PM
2h 54m
8 PM
2h 28m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Dakota City, NE, NE

Dakota City, NE

Tom Fisk

seat of Lancaster County, and capital of the State of Nebraska, United States

Lincoln, NE

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Dakota City, NE to Lincoln, NE covers 122 miles and takes about 2h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Highway 77, County Road 18, US 77 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 67.3 miles on Highway 77. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.07 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

61 miles from Dakota City, NE

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Highway 77 67.3 mi 1h 19m
County Road 18 15.4 mi 17m
US 77 14.9 mi 17m
County Road 11 11.5 mi 13m
North Broad Street 3.4 mi 7m
Cornhusker Highway 2 mi 3m
North 33rd Street 2 mi 4m
North Charde Avenue 1.6 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Highway 77 — 67.3 mi, about 1h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dakota City, NE and Lincoln, NE.

1

Start on Broadway Street

91 ft · 11 sec · Broadway Street
2

Turn left onto North 16th Street

55 ft · 4 sec · North 16th Street
3

Turn right onto Broadway Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Broadway Street
4

Turn left onto US 75; US 77

13 mi · 15 min · Highway 77
Use the left lane.
5

Enter roundabout onto US 75; US 77

114 ft · 4 sec · Highway 77
6

Continue on US 75; US 77

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Highway 77
7

Continue on US 75; US 77

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Bluff Street
8

Enter roundabout onto US 77

58 ft · 2 sec · Highway 77
9

Continue on US 77

27 mi · 31 min · Highway 77
Use the straight lane.
10

Continue on US 77

1.6 mi · 3 min · North Charde Avenue
11

Enter roundabout onto US 77

177 ft · 3 sec · Highway 77
12

Continue on US 77

6.3 mi · 7 min · Highway 77
13

Continue on US 77

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Oak Street
14

Continue on US 77

8.2 mi · 9 min · Highway 77
15

Continue on US 77

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Highway US 77
16

Continue on US 77

0.7 mi · 46 sec · Highway 77
17

Take the ramp onto US 77

9.7 mi · 11 min · US 77
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Continue on North Broad Street

3.4 mi · 7 min · North Broad Street
Use the straight lane.
19

Enter roundabout onto US 77

18 ft · 0 sec · Highway 77
20

Continue on US 77

0.6 mi · 43 sec · Highway 77
21

Continue on US 77

11 mi · 13 min · County Road 11
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Take the exit onto US 77

5.2 mi · 6 min · US 77
23

Enter roundabout onto US 77; N-92

154 ft · 1 sec · Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway
24

Continue on US 77; N-92

12 mi · 13 min · Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Continue on US 77

1.8 mi · 1 min · County Road 18
26

Continue on US 77

0.5 mi · 44 sec · North Highway 77
27

Continue on US 77

14 mi · 15 min · County Road 18
28

Turn right onto US 6

2.0 mi · 3 min · Cornhusker Highway
29

Turn left onto North 33rd Street

2.0 mi · 4 min · North 33rd Street
30

Continue on South 33rd Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · South 33rd Street
31

Turn left onto B Street

0.3 mi · 56 sec · B Street
32

Arrive at destination

B Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61 miles from Dakota City, NE, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 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 27 miles or 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 61 miles or 1h 14m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 3m

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 Dakota City, 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 Dakota City, NE

This is one driving day of about 122 miles and 2h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Dakota City, 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 77 for about 67.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city and county seat of Dodge County, Nebraska, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fremont, NE

61 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.

Popular next leg

Fremont, NE to Lincoln, NE

51.9 mi · 1h 7m

Pacing Suggestions

Macy, NE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fremont, NE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61 miles from Dakota City, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Fattoush Restaurant/مطعم فتوش

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lincoln, Nebraska

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 122

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14022616699

Visit website

The Eatery Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lincoln, Nebraska

1.2 mi

Pho Nguyenn Vietnamese Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lincoln, Nebraska

1.6 mi

Fattoush Restaurant/مطعم فتوش

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 122

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14022616699

Visit website

The Eatery Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 122

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+14024890396

Visit website

Pho Nguyenn Vietnamese Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 122

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+14024772058

Anthony Leon's Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 69.7

Fremont, Nebraska

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14022536363

Billy's

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 122

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+14024740084

Visit website

DISH Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour Expensive mile 122

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+14024759475

High Peak Asian Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 122

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+14029047300

Chip's Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.1

Wahoo, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14024431164

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 87.1

Wahoo, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 69.7

Fremont, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 95.8

Wahoo, Nebraska

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

University of Nebraska State Museum - Morrill Hall

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 122

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14024722637

Visit website

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 122

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 4–8 pm

+14022810896

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 14.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North 16th Street

Turn left onto North 16th Street

Navigation decision point

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Broadway Street

Turn right onto Broadway Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 75; US 77 / Highway 77

Turn left onto US 75; US 77 / Highway 77

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
4
13.6 mi into trip | ~17m in | US 75; US 77 / Highway 77

Enter roundabout onto US 75; US 77 / Highway 77

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

4
14.4 mi into trip | ~19m in | US 77 / Highway 77

Enter roundabout onto US 77 / Highway 77

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.07 one way

$38.15 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.94 $41.88
premium $4.89 $23.48 $46.96
diesel $5.61 $26.94 $53.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.6 0 $12.81 $5.86
Efficient EV 30.5 0 $10.67 $4.88
EV Truck/SUV 48.8 0 $17.08 $7.81

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Dakota City, NE

Afternoon in Dakota City on Saturday

Local time

1:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lincoln, NE

Afternoon in Lincoln on Saturday

Local time

1:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

77°F

Fremont, NE

61 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

4 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 34m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

122 mi in 2h 34m, mostly highway — 67.3 mi of that is on Highway 77.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.3 mi on Highway 77.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 77 and County Road 18. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North 16th Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 34m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (North 16th Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 75; US 77 / Highway 77): Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Lincoln, NE

Full guide →

Lincoln is the capital and second largest city of Nebraska, U.S. As the state capital, it offers several historical sites, as well as museums, art galleries, and other cultural venues.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 122 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (68%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 67.3 miles on Highway 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through NE can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (North 16th Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 75; US 77 / Highway 77): Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lincoln, NE before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Lincoln, NE

Gering, NE 397 mi · 7h 13m Alliance, NE 370.1 mi · 7h 10m Valentine, NE 308 mi · 5h 55m McCook, NE 232 mi · 4h 27m

More from Dakota City, NE

North Platte, NE 304.9 mi · 6h 1m Kearney, NE 229 mi · 4h 31m Papillion, NE 109.2 mi · 2h 7m Omaha, NE 97.1 mi · 1h 51m

More trips to Lincoln, NE

Terrytown, NE 398.9 mi Kimball, NE 383 mi Ainsworth, NE 260.8 mi Sutherland, NE 247.5 mi Ord, NE 160.2 mi Kearney, NE 132.7 mi
Weekend drives from Dakota City, NE Scenic drives in NE

Explore more options from Dakota City, NE or browse trips ending in Lincoln, NE.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NE road trips.