Planning a trip from Terrytown to Lincoln? This 398.9-mile journey takes approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. You'll spend most of your time on I-80 and US-26, with about 97% of the drive being on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $62, and you can expect two designated stops along the way. This route primarily traverses the Great Plains region of Nebraska, offering a straightforward drive across the state. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider breaking it into two days.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
199.5 miles from Terrytown, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
269.8 mi
4h 33m
US 26
84 mi
1h 39m
US Highway 26
12.5 mi
15m
Highway 92
11 mi
12m
Highway 26
5.5 mi
6m
North Spruce Street
2.7 mi
4m
South Beltline Highway East
2.5 mi
4m
Highway L79E
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 269.8 mi, about 4h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Terrytown, NE and Lincoln, NE.
1
Start on McGuire Street
67 ft·8 sec·McGuire Street
2
Turn left onto 10th Street
0.4 mi·50 sec·10th Street
3
Turn right onto South Beltline Highway East
2.5 mi·4 min·South Beltline Highway East
4
Turn right onto US 26
5.5 mi·6 min·Highway 26
5
Turn right onto L-79E
2.1 mi·2 min·Highway L79E
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto N-92
11 mi·12 min·Highway 92
7
Continue on US 26; N-92
13 mi·15 min·US Highway 26
8
Turn left onto US 26; US 385
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
9
Continue on US 26
84 mi·1 hr 39 min·US 26
10
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.7 mi·4 min·North Spruce Street
11
Turn left onto US 26; US 30; N-61; I 80 Alt
305 ft·7 sec·US 26; US 30; N-61; I 80 Alt
12
Turn right onto US 26; N-61
0.9 mi·1 min·South Highway 26/61
13
Turn left
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 80 east
14
Merge onto I 80
270 mi·4 hr 33 min·I 80
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·44 sec
Exit 397Toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska City
16
Continue on US 77
0.7 mi·55 sec·Homestead Expressway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward Rosa Parks WayUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Rosa Parks Way, Downtown Lincoln
19
Turn slight left onto Rosa Parks Way
2.0 mi·3 min·Rosa Parks Way
20
Continue on K Street
1.0 mi·2 min·K Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on Capitol Parkway
1.0 mi·2 min·Capitol Parkway
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto A Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·A Street
23
Turn left onto South 37th Street
337 ft·17 sec·South 37th Street
24
Turn right onto B Street
305 ft·10 sec·B Street
25
Arrive at destination
B Street
Trip Plan
To best manage this 7-hour and 15-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure from Terrytown to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With 398.9 miles to cover, plan for your two stops strategically to break up the longest stretch of 269.8 miles on I-80. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that lengthy interstate segment, as services can be spaced out. The $62 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always budget a little extra. This drive is doable in one day, but being flexible with your schedule allows for spontaneous breaks if needed.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 199.5 miles from Terrytown, NE, or about 3h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 269.8 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 88 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 199.5 miles or 3h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lincoln, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Terrytown, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Terrytown, NE
This is one driving day of about 398.9 miles and 7h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Terrytown, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 269.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.3 and 398.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
8.3 mi into trip|~11m in|L-79E / Highway L79E
Turn right onto L-79E / Highway L79E
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
392.8 mi into trip|~7h 3m 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
394.1 mi into trip|~7h 4m 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
394.2 mi into trip|~7h 5m 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
398.9 mi into trip|~7h 15m in|B Street
Turn right onto B Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.36 one way
$124.73 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg140 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$68.47
$136.95
premium
$4.89
$76.76
$153.53
diesel
$5.61
$88.07
$176.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 139.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119.7
1
$41.88
$19.15
Efficient EV
99.7
1
$34.90
$15.96
EV Truck/SUV
159.6
1
$55.85
$25.53
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Terrytown, NE
Evening
in Terrytown on Saturday
Local time
7:18 PM
MDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lincoln, NE
Evening
in Lincoln on Saturday
Local time
8:18 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
8 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
7h 15m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Scotts Bluff National Monument
National Monument
Towering 800 feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has served as a landmark for peoples from Native Americans to emigrants on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails to modern travelers. Ri...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the 398.9 miles spent on major roads like I-80 and US-26. The character is predominantly that of an interstate experience, especially with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 269.8 miles on I-80. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of US-26 suggests some variation might occur. Expect a consistent driving pace for the bulk of your trip, with minimal exposure to slower, local roads. It’s a route designed for covering distance efficiently across the Great Plains.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 269.8 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 26. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 8.3 miles in near L-79E / Highway L79E.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 15m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 15 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.3 miles (L-79E / Highway L79E): Lane positioning matters here; at 392.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 394.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
The longest stretch is about 269.8 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lincoln, NE before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 8.3 miles (L-79E / Highway L79E): Lane positioning matters here; at 392.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 394.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Scotts Bluff National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lincoln, NE before the return drive.
