Kimball, NE to Bellevue, NE is 433.6 miles and takes about 7h 28m via I 80 and Highway 370, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that keeps you within the Great Plains region for its entirety. Expect a consistent pace across Nebraska, making it a solid option for a single-day journey. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so pack your favorite podcasts or audiobooks. It's a practical route for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
216.8 miles from Kimball, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
415.9 mi
7h
Highway 370
11.8 mi
17m
Harlan Drive
1.3 mi
2m
South Highway 71
1.1 mi
1m
East 3rd Street
1.1 mi
1m
West Mission Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
Link 53E
0.4 mi
<1m
Galvin Road South
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 415.9 mi, about 7h
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 92 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~822 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,140
Quietest
2 AM
~101 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kimball, NE and Bellevue, NE.
1
Start on South Chesnut Street
43 ft·7 sec·South Chesnut Street
2
Turn left onto US 30; I 80 Alt
1.1 mi·1 min·East 3rd Street
3
Turn right onto L-53E
0.3 mi·26 sec·Link 53E
Toward US 30
4
Enter roundabout onto L-53E
197 ft·3 sec·Link 53E
Toward NE 71
5
Continue on L-53E
466 ft·12 sec·Link 53E
Toward NE 71
6
Turn right onto N-71
1.1 mi·1 min·South Highway 71
Use the right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 80 east
8
Merge onto I 80
416 mi·7 hr·I 80
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·51 sec
Exit 439Toward NE 370: Papillion, Bellevue
10
Keep slight right at fork
200 ft·6 sec
Exit 439Toward NE 370 East: Papillion, Bellevue
11
Merge onto N-370; I 80 Alt
12 mi·17 min·Highway 370
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on Harlan Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Harlan Drive
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto Galvin Road South
0.4 mi·57 sec·Galvin Road South
14
Turn left onto West Mission Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·West Mission Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto Main Street
73 ft·2 sec·Main Street
16
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
With a 7h 28m estimated duration, this trip is comfortably manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for the 433.6-mile drive and any brief stops you might need. You'll encounter 2 planned stops, which should be sufficient for breaks. Given the long stretch on I 80, plan your fuel stops strategically, as services can be spaced out. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the final 415.9 miles on the interstate. The $68 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unexpected needs.
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 216.8 miles from Kimball, NE, or about 3h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 415.9 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 95 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 216.8 miles or 3h 40m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellevue, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kimball, 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 Kimball, NE
This is one driving day of about 433.6 miles and 7h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Kimball, 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 415.9 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 432.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in|L-53E / Link 53E
Enter roundabout onto L-53E / Link 53E toward NE 71
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward NE 71
6
1.5 mi into trip|~2m in|N-71 / South Highway 71
Turn right onto N-71 / South Highway 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
418.7 mi into trip|~7h 4m in
Take the exit toward NE 370: Papillion, Bellevue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 439
Toward NE 370: Papillion, Bellevue
7
419.2 mi into trip|~7h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NE 370 East: Papillion, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 439
Toward NE 370 East: Papillion, Bellevue
6
432.8 mi into trip|~7h 26m in|West Mission Avenue
Turn left onto West Mission Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.03 one way
$128.07 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg152 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$70.69
$141.38
premium
$4.72
$80.51
$161.01
diesel
$4.80
$81.87
$163.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 151.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
130.1
1
$45.53
$20.81
Efficient EV
108.4
1
$37.94
$17.34
EV Truck/SUV
173.4
2
$60.70
$27.75
Gas CO2
152 kg
EV CO2
51 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Kimball, NE
Evening
in Kimball on Saturday
Local time
7:30 PM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 10 to 15 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bellevue, NE
Evening
in Bellevue on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Clear
SSE 5 mph24% chanceLive 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
10 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 28m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 99% of the journey utilizing major roads like I 80 and Highway 370. You'll experience a very direct route, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 415.9 miles on I 80. The character of the drive is consistent, largely due to the extensive interstate mileage. While it's a highway-centric trip, you will transition onto Highway 370 and Harlan Drive closer to your destination. Be prepared for a steady, efficient pace for the majority of the trip.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 415.9 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Highway 370. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near L-53E / Link 53E.
Driving Effort5/10
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 433.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 1.4 miles (L-53E / Link 53E): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.5 miles (N-71 / South Highway 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 418.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Kimball is a very small town in Kimball County, which is in the Nebraska Panhandle. As of the 2010 U.S. census the population was 2,569 people, all living within 2.71 square miles.
Bellevue, is a small town in Sarpy County, Nebraska, just south of Omaha and west of the Missouri River. It is the oldest town in Nebraska and the oldest town west of the Missouri River. It is known for being the historical home to Strategic Air Command and, today, US Strategic Command.
Top landmarks
•Log Cabin — historic house in Bellevue, Nebraska, USA
•Presbyterian Church — church building in Bellevue, Nebraska, United States
•William E. Gordon House — historic house in Bellevue, Nebraska
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 28m. Total distance: 433.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 415.9 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 38 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Bellevue, 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. There are 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 1.4 miles (L-53E / Link 53E): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.5 miles (N-71 / South Highway 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 418.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bellevue, NE before the return drive.
