Origin
Sutherland, NE
Afternoon in Sutherland on Friday
Local time
1:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sutherland, NE to Lincoln, NE
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
247.5 mi
398 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 6m
★
6 AM
4h 19m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 28m
12 PM
4h 26m
3 PM
4h 30m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sutherland, NE
cottonbro studio
Lincoln, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Sutherland to Lincoln is 247.5 miles and takes about 4h 18m via I 80, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Nebraska, traversing the Great Plains region from start to finish. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's well-suited for a single-day journey. With minimal stops recommended, it's a practical option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently between these two points. Plan for a consistent pace as you head east.
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
123.7 miles from Sutherland, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 247.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This drive is overwhelmingly a highway-focused experience, with 97% of the journey on interstate. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I 80, covering a considerable longest stretch of 238.6 miles without needing to exit. This means consistent speeds and a predictable road surface for most of the trip. While the profile is primarily highway, the initial and final segments utilize local roads like Rosa Parks Way and N-25, offering a brief change of pace before merging onto the main interstate.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 238.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Rosa Parks Way. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in.
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 4h 18m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 241.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 242.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 80 east
Navigation decision point
Toward I 80 east
6
241.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m in
Take the exit toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 397
Toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska...
6
242.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward Rosa Parks Way
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Rosa Parks Way
7
242.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Rosa Parks Way, Downtown Lincoln
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Rosa Parks Way, Downtown Lincoln
5
247.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m in
|
B Street
Turn right onto B Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 238.6 mi | 4h 2m |
| Rosa Parks Way | 2 mi | 3m |
| N-25 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Capitol Parkway | 1 mi | 2m |
| K Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Homestead Expressway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| 1st Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| A Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 238.6 mi, about 4h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sutherland, NE and Lincoln, NE.
1
Start on US 30; I 80 Alt
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street
2
Turn right onto N-25; I 80 Alt
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
N-25; I 80 Alt
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 80 east
4
Merge onto I 80
239 mi
·
4 hr 2 min
·
I 80
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 397
Toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska City
6
Continue on US 77
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
·
Homestead Expressway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Rosa Parks Way
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Rosa Parks Way, Downtown Lincoln
9
Turn slight left onto Rosa Parks Way
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Rosa Parks Way
10
Continue on K Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
K Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on Capitol Parkway
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Capitol Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left onto A Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
A Street
13
Turn left onto South 37th Street
337 ft
·
17 sec
·
South 37th Street
14
Turn right onto B Street
305 ft
·
10 sec
·
B Street
15
Arrive at destination
B Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 18m estimated drive time, departing Sutherland in the morning allows ample daylight to reach Lincoln. With only one recommended stop and a high highway share, you can maintain a steady pace. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 238.6-mile stretch on I 80, as services may be spaced out. The $39 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, but consider checking local prices. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have flexibility; consider a mid-morning start to avoid early rush hour if any exists in Lincoln upon arrival.
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 123.7 miles from Sutherland, NE, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 238.6 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 54 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.7 miles or 2h 7m 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 Sutherland, 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 Sutherland, NE
This is one driving day of about 247.5 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Sutherland, 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 I 80 for about 238.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123.7 mi from Sutherland, NE · 2h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 123.7 miles from Sutherland, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 238.6 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.69 one way
$77.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $42.48 | $84.97 |
| premium | $4.89 | $47.63 | $95.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.64 | $109.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.3 | 0 | $25.99 | $11.88 |
| Efficient EV | 61.9 | 0 | $21.66 | $9.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99 | 1 | $34.65 | $15.84 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Afternoon in Lincoln on Friday
Local time
1:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Shelton, NE
124 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
31 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 Sutherland, NE to Lincoln, NE covers 247.5 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 I 80, Rosa Parks Way, N-25. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 123.7 miles from Sutherland, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.69 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 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 241.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 242.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Sutherland, NE to Lincoln, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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.
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