This 383-mile drive from Kimball, Nebraska, to Lincoln, Nebraska, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 6 hours and 33 minutes. With 98% of the trip on major roads like I-80, it's an efficient route, ideal for a single-day trip. Plan for an estimated fuel cost of $60 for this stretch. The drive primarily traverses the Great Plains, offering a consistent landscape throughout. This route is best suited for those prioritizing direct travel across Nebraska.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
191.5 miles from Kimball, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
374.1 mi
6h 17m
Rosa Parks Way
2 mi
3m
South Highway 71
1.1 mi
1m
East 3rd Street
1.1 mi
1m
Capitol Parkway
1 mi
2m
K Street
1 mi
2m
Homestead Expressway
0.7 mi
<1m
Link 53E
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 374.1 mi, about 6h 17m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~691 veh/hr typical
· worst 978
Quietest
2 AM
~98 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Lincoln, 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
374 mi·6 hr 17 min·I 80
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·44 sec
Exit 397Toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska City
10
Continue on US 77
0.7 mi·55 sec·Homestead Expressway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward Rosa Parks WayUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Rosa Parks Way, Downtown Lincoln
13
Turn slight left onto Rosa Parks Way
2.0 mi·3 min·Rosa Parks Way
14
Continue on K Street
1.0 mi·2 min·K Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on Capitol Parkway
1.0 mi·2 min·Capitol Parkway
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto A Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·A Street
17
Turn left onto South 37th Street
337 ft·17 sec·South 37th Street
18
Turn right onto B Street
305 ft·10 sec·B Street
19
Arrive at destination
B Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 33-minute duration, starting your journey from Kimball in the morning is recommended to arrive in Lincoln with daylight to spare. The route features a longest continuous stretch of 374.1 miles on I-80, so plan your single stop strategically for fuel and a break around the midway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can be spread out on interstate segments. The estimated fuel cost is $60, so ensure you have adequate funds or a full tank before embarking.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 191.5 miles from Kimball, NE, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 374.1 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 84 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191.5 miles or 3h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 27m
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 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kimball, NE
This is one driving day of about 383 miles and 6h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Kimball, 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 I 80 for about 374.1 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 378.3 — 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
376.9 mi into trip|~6h 21m 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
378.1 mi into trip|~6h 23m 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
378.3 mi into trip|~6h 23m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.56 one way
$113.12 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg134 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$62.44
$124.88
premium
$4.72
$71.11
$142.22
diesel
$4.80
$72.32
$144.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
114.9
1
$40.22
$18.38
Efficient EV
95.8
1
$33.51
$15.32
EV Truck/SUV
153.2
1
$53.62
$24.51
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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 16, 2026
Origin
Kimball, NE
Evening
in Kimball on Saturday
Local time
7:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
SE 15 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lincoln, NE
Evening
in Lincoln on Saturday
Local time
8:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SSE 6 mph18% 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
1 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
6h 33m 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?
The personality of this drive is overwhelmingly that of a highway-focused itinerary, with 98% of the mileage dedicated to major roads. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I-80, experiencing long, uninterrupted stretches, including one segment spanning 374.1 miles. While primarily an interstate experience, the initial and final portions may involve local roads like Rosa Parks Way and South Highway 71. Expect a consistent driving rhythm, perfect for covering distance efficiently.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 374.1 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Rosa Parks Way. 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 383 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 376.9 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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 33m. Total distance: 383 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 374.1 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 31 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 376.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 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.
