Origin
Lincoln, NE
Afternoon in Lincoln on Sunday
Local time
4:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lincoln, NE to Omaha, NE
Drive Time
1h 9m
Distance
57.7 mi
93 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 4m
★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 21m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 13m
3 PM
1h 14m
5 PM
1h 20m
8 PM
1h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lincoln, NE
www.kaboompics.com
Omaha, NE
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Connecting Lincoln and Omaha is a straightforward 57.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 9 minutes. Because the distance is so short, this trip is perfect for a quick day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-80, making this a highly efficient transit between these two Great Plains hubs. With fuel costs estimated at around $9, it is an economical drive for any schedule. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, you can expect a very manageable experience that keeps you within the same region for the entire duration.
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
28.8 miles from Lincoln, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is defined by a heavy reliance on major infrastructure, with 84% of your time spent on highways. You will settle into a steady rhythm on I-80, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 46.2 miles. While the route begins with local navigation via North 56th Street and Cornhusker Highway, the experience quickly shifts to a fast-paced interstate grind. Expect a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads or scenic detours. It is a classic Great Plains transit, offering wide horizons and a consistent flow behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 46.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and North 56th Street. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near South 33rd Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 57.7 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 0.3 miles (South 33rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.4 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South 33rd Street
At end of road, turn right onto South 33rd Street
Navigation decision point
5
8.4 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
54.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 480 North, US 75: Eppley Airfield, Downtown, Bellevue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 480 North, US 75: Eppley Airfield, Dow...
6
54.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
Gerald R Ford Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto Gerald R Ford Expressway toward I 480 North, US 75 North: Eppley Airfield, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 480 North, US 75 North: Eppley Airfiel...
8
56.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward Harney Street, Dodge Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 2A
Toward Harney Street, Dodge Street
Towns Along This Route
Between Lincoln, NE and Omaha, NE, road signs point toward Downtown and Bellevue.
Downtown
54.5 mi in
|
~1h 4m
Bellevue
54.5 mi in
|
~1h 4m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 46.2 mi | 48m |
| North 56th Street | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Cornhusker Highway | 2 mi | 3m |
| North 33rd Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| Gerald R Ford Expressway | 2 mi | 2m |
| South 33rd Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Harney Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| B Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 46.2 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln, NE and Omaha, NE.
1
Start on B Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
B Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto South 33rd Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South 33rd Street
3
Continue on North 33rd Street
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
North 33rd Street
4
Turn right onto US 6
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Cornhusker Highway
5
Turn left onto L-55X
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North 56th Street
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 80 east
7
Merge onto I 80
46 mi
·
48 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 480 North, US 75: Eppley Airfield, Downtown, Bellevue
9
Keep slight left at fork onto Gerald R Ford Expressway
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Gerald R Ford Expressway
Toward I 480 North, US 75 North: Eppley Airfield, Downtown
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 2A
Toward Harney Street, Dodge Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto Harney Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Harney Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Arrive at destination
Harney Street
Trip Plan
Since you only have a 69-minute drive ahead of you, there is no need to plan for any formal stops along the way. You have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though checking traffic patterns on I-80 can help you avoid potential congestion during peak hours. Keep in mind that since the route is so short, you can easily top off your tank in Lincoln before heading out to stay within your $9 fuel budget. The lack of required stops means you can focus on a direct arrival, but always remain alert to changing conditions on the interstate. Enjoy the simplicity of this quick hop between Nebraska’s two largest cities.
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 28.8 miles from Lincoln, NE, or about 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.2 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 57.7 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 28.8 miles or 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Omaha, 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 57.7 miles and 1h 9m.
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 I 80 for about 46.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.8 mi from Lincoln, NE · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 57.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.8 miles from Lincoln, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Omaha, NE
The final approach into Omaha, 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 Omaha, 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
$8.76 one way
$17.53 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.66 | $19.32 |
| premium | $4.80 | $10.89 | $21.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.82 | $25.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.06 | $2.77 |
| Efficient EV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.05 | $2.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.1 | 0 | $8.08 | $3.69 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Omaha, NE
Afternoon in Omaha on Sunday
Local time
4:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
77°F
Louisville, NE
29 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
1 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
1h 9m 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 Omaha, NE covers 57.7 miles and takes about 1h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, North 56th Street, Cornhusker Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.8 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 $8.76 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 57.7 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 0.3 miles (South 33rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.4 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lincoln, NE and Omaha, NE, road signs point toward Downtown and Bellevue.
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