Origin
Wakefield, NE
Afternoon in Wakefield on Friday
Local time
3:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wakefield, 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
2h 36m
Distance
123 mi
198 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 26m
★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 44m
12 PM
2h 42m
3 PM
2h 45m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wakefield, NE
Obes
Lincoln, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 123-mile journey from Wakefield to Lincoln, Nebraska, can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 36 minutes, making it an ideal one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate on Highway 79, Highway 9, and Highway 16, with about 60% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this Great Plains crossing is around $19, and you'll encounter one recommended stop along the way. This route offers a mixed driving experience, perfect for a straightforward excursion without needing an overnight stay.
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
61.5 miles from Wakefield, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 123 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 60% of your travel occurring on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 17.8 miles on Highway 79, offering a chance to settle in. The roads here are generally straightforward, blending faster highway sections with local road segments as you make your way across the Great Plains. This varied character means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind, providing a dynamic driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 17.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near N-35 / Oak 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 36m 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: at 0.1 miles (N-35 / Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles (N-9; N-16 / Highway 9): Navigation decision point; at 47 miles (N-91 / State Highway 91): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 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
|
N-35 / Oak Street
At end of road, turn right onto N-35 / Oak Street
Navigation decision point
4
18.2 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
N-9; N-16 / Highway 9
At end of road, turn right onto N-9; N-16 / Highway 9
Navigation decision point
4
47 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
N-91 / State Highway 91
Turn right onto N-91 / State Highway 91
Navigation decision point
6
120.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
K Street
Turn left onto K Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
123 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
|
B Street
Turn right onto B Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 79 | 17.8 mi | 20m |
| Highway 9 | 17.1 mi | 25m |
| Highway 16 | 15.8 mi | 18m |
| County Road 27 | 13 mi | 15m |
| County Road 28 | 9.2 mi | 10m |
| Highway 275 | 9.1 mi | 9m |
| Purple Heart Highway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| Northwest 56th Street | 6.6 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Highway 79
— 17.8 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wakefield, NE and Lincoln, NE.
1
Start on 3rd Street
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
3rd Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto N-35
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
Oak Street
3
Continue on N-35
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 35
4
Continue on N-16
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Highway 16
5
At end of road, turn right onto N-9; N-16
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Highway 9
6
Continue on N-9; N-16
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North 4th Street
7
Continue on N-9; N-16
17 mi
·
25 min
·
Highway 9
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 275
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
Highway 275
9
Continue on US 275
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Lincoln Street
10
Continue on US 275
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Highway 275
11
Turn right onto N-91
309 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Highway 91
12
Continue on N-91
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 91
13
Continue on N-91
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
4th Street
14
Turn left onto N-79
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
Range Line Street
15
Continue on N-79
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Highway 79
16
Merge onto US 30; N-79
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Highway 30
17
Take the exit onto N-79
83 ft
·
9 sec
·
N-79
18
Continue on US 30; N-79
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Highway 30
19
Turn right onto N-79
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 79
20
Continue on N-79
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
21
Continue on N-79
0.7 mi
·
52 sec
·
Highway 79
22
Continue on N-79
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road 25
23
Continue on N-79
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road X
24
Continue on N-79
13 mi
·
15 min
·
County Road 27
25
Turn right onto N-79; N-92
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road K
26
Turn left onto N-79
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road 28
27
Continue on N-79
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Cedar Street
28
Continue on N-79
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 28
29
Continue on N-79
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 79
30
Continue on N-79
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Nebraska Highway 79
31
Continue on N-79
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Northwest 56th Street
32
At end of road, turn left onto US 34; I 80 Alt
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West US Highway 34
33
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn left onto K Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
K Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
35
Continue on Capitol Parkway
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Capitol Parkway
Use the straight lane.
36
Turn left onto A Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
A Street
37
Turn left onto South 37th Street
337 ft
·
17 sec
·
South 37th Street
38
Turn right onto B Street
305 ft
·
10 sec
·
B Street
39
Arrive at destination
B Street
Trip Plan
With a duration of just over two and a half hours, this trip offers plenty of flexibility. You can depart Wakefield anytime, but an early start will give you ample time to reach Lincoln and explore. Plan for one stop, perhaps midway, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without significant turns is 17.8 miles on Highway 79, so be sure to refuel before that if needed. The total fuel cost is estimated at $19, so budgeting is simple for this short Nebraska drive.
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 61.5 miles from Wakefield, NE, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.8 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.5 miles or 1h 18m 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 5m
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 Wakefield, 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 Wakefield, NE
This is one driving day of about 123 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Wakefield, 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 79 for about 17.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.5 mi from Wakefield, NE · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.5 miles from Wakefield, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.23 one way
$38.46 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.11 | $42.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.67 | $47.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.16 | $54.31 |
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: 43 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 | 36.9 | 0 | $12.92 | $5.90 |
| Efficient EV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.76 | $4.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.22 | $7.87 |
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.
Destination
Lincoln, NE
Afternoon in Lincoln on Friday
Local time
3:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
25 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
2h 36m 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 Wakefield, NE to Lincoln, NE covers 123 miles and takes about 2h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 79, Highway 9, Highway 16. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.5 miles from Wakefield, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.23 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 36m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (N-35 / Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles (N-9; N-16 / Highway 9): Navigation decision point; at 47 miles (N-91 / State Highway 91): Navigation decision point.
The route from Wakefield, 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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