Origin
York, NE
Afternoon in York on Friday
Local time
12:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from York, 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
1h 5m
Distance
53.6 mi
86 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 16m
8 PM
1h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
York, NE
Erwin Bosman
Lincoln, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 53.6-mile drive from York, NE, to Lincoln, NE, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 5 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-80, with segments on US-81 and Rosa Parks Way, offering an 88% highway experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $8, this is an economical journey. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region for the entire trip, experiencing the characteristic open landscapes. This drive is ideal for a quick transfer or a short excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 53.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 1-hour trip. With 88% of the route on highways, you'll encounter swift travel for extended periods. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 43.5 miles on I-80, allowing for consistent momentum. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of US-81 and Rosa Parks Way might offer slight variations in the driving experience as you approach your destination. Overall, this route prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways.
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.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 43.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 81. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 47.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
3.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left toward I 80 east
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 80 east
6
47.5 mi into trip
|
~53m 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
48.7 mi into trip
|
~55m 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
48.9 mi into trip
|
~55m 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
53.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
B Street
Turn right onto B Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between York, NE and Lincoln, NE, road signs point toward To Ne 2: Beatrice and Nebraska City.
To Ne 2: Beatrice
47.5 mi in
|
~53m
Nebraska City
47.5 mi in
|
~53m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 43.5 mi | 46m |
| US 81 | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Rosa Parks Way | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Lincoln Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Capitol Parkway | 1 mi | 2m |
| K Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Homestead Expressway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| A Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 43.5 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between York, NE and Lincoln, NE.
1
Start on East 7th Street
276 ft
·
19 sec
·
East 7th Street
2
Turn left onto North Lincoln Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Lincoln Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 81; I 80 Alternate
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 81; I 80 Alternate
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 80 east
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 80
43 mi
·
46 min
·
I 80
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 397
Toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska City
7
Continue on US 77
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
·
Homestead Expressway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Rosa Parks Way
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Rosa Parks Way, Downtown Lincoln
10
Turn slight left onto Rosa Parks Way
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Rosa Parks Way
11
Continue on K Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
K Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on Capitol Parkway
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Capitol Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto A Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
A Street
14
Turn left onto South 37th Street
337 ft
·
17 sec
·
South 37th Street
15
Turn right onto B Street
305 ft
·
10 sec
·
B Street
16
Arrive at destination
B Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.8 mi from York, NE · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.8 miles from York, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.38 one way
$16.76 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.20 | $18.40 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.31 | $20.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.83 | $23.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.63 | $2.57 |
| Efficient EV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.69 | $2.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.50 | $3.43 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
12:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Crete, NE
27 mi in
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
26 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
1h 5m 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 York, NE to Lincoln, NE covers 53.6 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, US 81, Rosa Parks Way. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.8 miles from York, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.38 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 53.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 47.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between York, NE and Lincoln, NE, road signs point toward To Ne 2: Beatrice and Nebraska City.
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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