Origin
Lincoln, NE
Evening in Lincoln on Sunday
Local time
5:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lincoln, NE to Beatrice, NE
Drive Time
52m
Distance
40.8 mi
66 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 53m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 56m
12 PM
0h 55m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 1m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lincoln, NE
www.kaboompics.com
Beatrice, NE
Jean-Paul Wettstein
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Great Plains, the drive from Lincoln to Beatrice is an ideal choice. Spanning 40.8 miles, this route typically takes about 52 minutes to complete, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You will primarily navigate via US Highway 77 and South 12th Street. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $6, this commute is both affordable and efficient. Since both cities are located within the Nebraska Great Plains, you can expect a consistent regional landscape throughout your journey. This straightforward connection is best suited for those looking to reach their destination quickly without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
20.4 miles from Lincoln, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a practical, highway-focused drive that keeps you moving toward your destination with minimal fuss. About 61% of your journey is spent on major highways, offering a steady pace for the duration of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 16.3-mile segment on Highway 77. Because this route lacks intermediate stops, the experience is defined by its direct, point-to-point nature. You won't find yourself navigating complex technical roads, as the path remains focused on efficient highway travel across the plains.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 77 is the longest continuous segment at about 16.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 77 and US Highway 77. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South 37th Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 40.8 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South 37th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (South 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.8 miles (Warlick Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
South 13th Street
Turn left onto South 13th Street
Navigation decision point
4
4.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
Warlick Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto Warlick Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
9.6 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
US 77 / US Highway 77
Keep slight right at fork onto US 77 / US Highway 77
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
5
40.8 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 77 | 16.3 mi | 17m |
| US Highway 77 | 8.7 mi | 9m |
| South 12th Street | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| North 6th Street | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| South 13th Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| A Street | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| Warlick Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| South 14th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Highway 77
— 16.3 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln, NE and Beatrice, 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
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
A Street
4
Turn left onto South 13th Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South 13th Street
5
Continue on South 14th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South 14th Street
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Warlick Boulevard
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Warlick Boulevard
7
Turn left onto US 77
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US Highway 77
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 77
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 77
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
9
Continue on US 77
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
South 12th Street
10
Continue on US 77
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 77
11
Continue on US 77
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Highway 77
12
Continue on US 77
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North 6th Street
13
Turn slight right
92 ft
·
13 sec
14
Turn left
81 ft
·
6 sec
15
Turn right
37 ft
·
2 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a short trip of under an hour, you have significant flexibility with your departure time to avoid potential traffic. Since there are zero planned stops along the 40.8-mile stretch, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving Lincoln to avoid any mid-trip stress. Budgeting around $6 for gas should keep you covered for the entire distance. Treat this drive as a straightforward transition between locations, allowing you to focus your energy on your arrival in Beatrice. Take advantage of the quick travel time to plan your activities for the day rather than worrying about road-side logistics.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 20.4 miles from Lincoln, NE, or about 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.3 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 40.8 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.4 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beatrice, 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 40.8 miles and 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lincoln, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Highway 77 for about 16.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.4 mi from Lincoln, NE · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.4 miles from Lincoln, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Beatrice, NE
The final approach into Beatrice, 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 Beatrice, 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
$6.20 one way
$12.39 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.83 | $13.66 |
| premium | $4.80 | $7.70 | $15.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.06 | $18.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.28 | $1.96 |
| Efficient EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.57 | $1.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.71 | $2.61 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Beatrice, NE
Evening in Beatrice on Sunday
Local time
5:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
77°F
Louisville, NE
20 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
5 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
52m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lincoln, NE to Beatrice, NE covers 40.8 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 77, US Highway 77, South 12th 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 20.4 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 $6.20 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 40.8 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South 37th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (South 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.8 miles (Warlick Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Lincoln, NE to Beatrice, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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