Origin
Lincoln, NE
Afternoon in Lincoln on Thursday
Local time
1:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lincoln, NE to Atkinson, NE
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 17m
Distance
210.6 mi
339 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 4m
★
6 AM
4h 17m
8 AM
4h 44m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 24m
3 PM
4h 28m
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 Lincoln, NE to Atkinson, NE covers 210.6 miles and takes about 4h 17m 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, US 81 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 $32.92 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 Lincoln, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 210.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 17m highway drive covering 210.6 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 48 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 South 37th Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 17m 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 (South 37th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (South 10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 53.8 miles (US 81): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South 37th Street
Turn left onto South 37th Street
Navigation decision point
4
2.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
South 10th Street
Turn right onto South 10th Street
Navigation decision point
4
53.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
US 81
Turn right onto US 81
Navigation decision point
4
75.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
N-39 / County Road J
Turn right onto N-39 / County Road J
Navigation decision point
5
152.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
|
US 275 / West 11th Street
Turn left onto US 275 / West 11th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 14 | 32 mi | 37m |
| Highway 275 | 25.3 mi | 29m |
| US 81 | 19 mi | 22m |
| Highway 39 | 18.6 mi | 21m |
| McKelvie Road | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Highway 20 | 17.4 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 Lincoln, NE and Atkinson, NE.
1
Start on B Street
305 ft
·
15 sec
·
B Street
2
Turn left onto South 37th Street
337 ft
·
16 sec
·
South 37th Street
3
Turn right onto A Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
A Street
4
Turn slight right onto Capitol Parkway
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Capitol Parkway
5
Continue on L Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
L Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Turn right onto South 10th Street
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South 10th Street
7
Turn straight onto I 180; US 34
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Purple Heart Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
West US Highway 34
9
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Alvo Road
10
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 34
11
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
McKelvie Road
12
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
13
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
13 mi
·
15 min
·
McKelvie Road
14
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Highway 34
15
Turn right onto US 81
19 mi
·
22 min
·
US 81
16
Turn slight left onto N-92
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road 130
17
Turn right onto N-39
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
County Road J
18
Continue on N-39
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Highway 39
19
Continue on N-39
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 39
20
Continue on N-22; N-39
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
State Highway 22
21
Continue on N-22; N-39
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Park Street
22
Turn left onto N-39
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Willard Avenue
23
Turn straight onto N-39
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 39
24
Continue on N-39
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 39
25
Continue on N-39
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Beaver Street
26
Continue on N-39
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 39
27
Continue on N-39
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Highway 39
28
Continue on N-14
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 14
29
Continue on N-14; N-91
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
West State Street
30
Turn right onto N-14
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
South 6th Street
31
Continue on N-14
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Highway 14
32
Continue on N-14
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
33
Continue on N-14
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Highway 14
34
Continue on N-14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South 2nd Street
35
Continue on N-14
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Highway 14
36
Continue on N-14
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
S Street
37
Turn left onto US 275
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
West 11th Street
38
Continue on US 275
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Highway 275
39
Continue on US 275
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
Miles Street
40
Continue on US 275
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Highway 275
41
Continue on US 275
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
Front Street
42
Continue on US 275
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Highway 275
43
Continue on US 20; US 275
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Highway 20/275
44
Continue on US 20; US 275
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Douglas Street
45
Continue on US 20
17 mi
·
20 min
·
Highway 20
46
Turn left onto East Pearl Street
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
East Pearl Street
47
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Main Street
48
Arrive at destination
North Main 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 Lincoln, NE, or about 2h 9m 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 46 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.3 miles or 2h 9m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atkinson, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, NE
This is one driving day of about 210.6 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, NE · 2h 9m 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105.3 miles from Lincoln, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Atkinson, NE
The final approach into Atkinson, 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 Atkinson, 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
$32.92 one way
$65.85 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.15 | $72.30 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.53 | $81.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.50 | $93.00 |
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 | $22.11 | $10.11 |
| Efficient EV | 52.7 | 0 | $18.43 | $8.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.2 | 1 | $29.48 | $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
Atkinson, NE
Afternoon in Atkinson on Thursday
Local time
1:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
24 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
4h 17m 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 Lincoln, NE to Atkinson, NE covers 210.6 miles and takes about 4h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 14, Highway 275, US 81. 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 Lincoln, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.92 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 17m 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 (South 37th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (South 10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 53.8 miles (US 81): Navigation decision point.
The route from Lincoln, NE to Atkinson, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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