Origin
Lincoln, NE
Late night in Lincoln on Tuesday
Local time
5:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lincoln, NE to Pender, NE
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 13m
Distance
104.3 mi
168 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 4m
★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 32m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 18m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 31m
8 PM
2h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lincoln, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Pender, NE
Barnabas Davoti
Trip Overview
Lincoln to Pender is 104.3 miles and takes about 2h 13m via Highway 79, Highway 9, and County Road 27, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Nebraska, moving from the Great Plains region near Lincoln to the Great Plains region around Pender. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads as you make your way north. With a drive time under two and a half hours, this is a straightforward route perfect for a single day's travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.2 miles from Lincoln, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 79 | 17.8 mi | 20m |
| Highway 9 | 16.9 mi | 25m |
| County Road 27 | 13 mi | 14m |
| County Road 28 | 9.2 mi | 10m |
| Highway 275 | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| Northwest 56th Street | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Nebraska Highway 79 | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| County Road 25 | 3.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Highway 79
— 17.8 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln, NE and Pender, 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
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
A Street
4
Turn slight right onto Capitol Parkway
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Capitol Parkway
5
Continue on L Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
L Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Turn right onto South 10th Street
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South 10th Street
7
Turn straight onto I 180; US 34
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Purple Heart Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Continue on US 34; I 80 Alt
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West US Highway 34
9
Turn right onto N-79
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Northwest 56th Street
10
Continue on N-79
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Nebraska Highway 79
11
Continue on N-79
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 79
12
Continue on N-79
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 28
13
Continue on N-79
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Cedar Street
14
Continue on N-79
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road 28
15
Turn right onto N-79; N-92
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road K
16
Turn left onto N-79
13 mi
·
14 min
·
County Road 27
17
Turn straight onto N-79
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road X
18
Turn straight onto N-79
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road 25
19
Continue on N-79
0.7 mi
·
52 sec
·
Highway 79
20
Continue on N-79
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
21
Continue on N-79
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 79
22
Merge onto US 30; N-79
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Highway 30
23
Take the exit onto N-79
177 ft
·
12 sec
·
N-79
24
Turn sharp left onto US 30
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Highway 30
25
Turn right onto N-79
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Highway 79
26
Continue on N-79
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Range Line Street
27
Turn right onto N-91
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
4th Street
28
Continue on N-91
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 91
29
Turn left onto US 275
8.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Highway 275
30
Continue on US 275
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Lincoln Street
31
Continue on US 275
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
Highway 275
32
Turn right onto N-9
17 mi
·
25 min
·
Highway 9
33
Continue on N-9; N-16
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Street
34
Turn left onto Main Street
36 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
35
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 13m drive time, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Consider leaving Lincoln in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and arrive in Pender with plenty of daylight. While there are no designated stops noted, you can take advantage of the flexibility this shorter route offers for impromptu breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to County Road 27, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. The estimated fuel cost is around $16, so check current prices before you depart.
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 52.2 miles from Lincoln, NE, or about 1h 6m 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 23 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.2 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pender, 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 104.3 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Lincoln, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.2 miles from Lincoln, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 55.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South 37th Street
Turn left onto South 37th Street
Navigation decision point
4
2.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
South 10th Street
Turn right onto South 10th Street
Navigation decision point
4
33.4 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
N-79; N-92 / County Road K
Turn right onto N-79; N-92 / County Road K
Navigation decision point
4
55.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
US 30; N-79 / Highway 30
Merge onto US 30; N-79 / Highway 30
Merge point - match speed before joining
6
55.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
US 30 / Highway 30
Turn sharp left onto US 30 / Highway 30
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.31 one way
$32.61 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $17.90 | $35.81 |
| premium | $4.89 | $20.07 | $40.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.03 | $46.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.95 | $5.01 |
| Efficient EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.13 | $4.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.60 | $6.68 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Pender, NE
Late night in Pender on Tuesday
Local time
5:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°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
23 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 13m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
About 53% of this 104.3-mile drive is on highways, with the remaining portion on surface roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 17.8 miles on Highway 79. The transition from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you progress. Expect a generally rural cruising experience for much of the trip.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 17.8 mi on Highway 79.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 South 37th Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 13m drive. You will face about 14 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 (South 37th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (South 10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.4 miles (N-79; N-92 / County Road K): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,503 ft
1,197 ft
Total Climb
546 ft
Total Descent
401 ft
Highest Point
1,503 ft
~96.9 mi in
Elevation Range
306 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Lincoln, NE
Full guide →“Star City” · Founded 1856
Lincoln is the capital and second largest city of Nebraska, U.S. As the state capital, it offers several historical sites, as well as museums, art galleries, and other cultural venues.
Top landmarks
- • Nebraska State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Nebraska
- • Sheldon Museum of Art — art museum in Lincoln, Nebraska
- • Lincoln Liberty Life Insurance Building — historic building in Lincoln, Nebraska
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 104.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 17.8 miles on Highway 79. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through NE can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South 37th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (South 10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.4 miles (N-79; N-92 / County Road K): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Pender, NE before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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