Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Kimball, NE to Lincoln, NE

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 33m

Distance

383 mi

616 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$60

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 22m ★
6 AM
6h 34m
8 AM
6h 58m
10 AM
6h 42m
12 PM
6h 40m
3 PM
6h 44m
5 PM
6h 57m
8 PM
6h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in and county seat of Kimball County, Nebraska, United States

Kimball, NE

Wikimedia Commons

seat of Lancaster County, and capital of the State of Nebraska, United States

Lincoln, NE

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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

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 397 Toward 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 Way Use 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.

city in Nebraska

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cozad, NE

192 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

Julesburg, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gothenburg, NE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 191.5 miles from Kimball, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 374.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Fattoush Restaurant/مطعم فتوش

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lincoln, Nebraska

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 383

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14022616699

Visit website

The Eatery Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lincoln, Nebraska

1.2 mi

Pho Nguyenn Vietnamese Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lincoln, Nebraska

1.6 mi

Fattoush Restaurant/مطعم فتوش

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 383

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14022616699

Visit website

The Eatery Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 383

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+14024890396

Visit website

Pho Nguyenn Vietnamese Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 383

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+14024772058

Billy's

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 383

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+14024740084

Visit website

DISH Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour Expensive mile 383

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+14024759475

Front Street Steakhouse & Crystal Palace Saloon

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 109.4

Ogallala, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13082846000

Visit website

High Peak Asian Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 383

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+14029047300

Villa Burritos

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 109.4

Ogallala, Nebraska

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13087265219

Visit website

Sod House Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 191.5

Gothenburg, Nebraska

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13085291630

Visit website

Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 218.8

Lexington, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13083246329

Visit website

University of Nebraska State Museum - Morrill Hall

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 383

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14024722637

Visit website

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 383

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 4–8 pm

+14022810896

Visit website

Open Range Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 109.4

Ogallala, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13082840899

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

$59.88 one way

$119.76 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 134 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $65.74 $131.49
premium $4.89 $73.70 $147.41
diesel $5.61 $84.56 $169.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$60

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$85–$110

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, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 114.9 1 $40.21 $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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Kimball, NE

Evening in Kimball on Saturday

Local time

7:18 PM

MDT

Current temp

78°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

25 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

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.

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 Effort 5/10

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.

About the Cities

Arriving in Lincoln, NE

Full guide →

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.

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 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.

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 1 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 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.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Lincoln, NE

Gering, NE 397 mi · 7h 13m Alliance, NE 370.1 mi · 7h 10m Valentine, NE 308 mi · 5h 55m McCook, NE 232 mi · 4h 27m

More from Kimball, NE

Bellevue, NE 433.6 mi · 7h 28m Hastings, NE 300.4 mi · 5h 12m Scottsbluff, NE 45.2 mi · 54m

More trips to Lincoln, NE

Terrytown, NE 398.9 mi Ainsworth, NE 260.8 mi Sutherland, NE 247.5 mi Ord, NE 160.2 mi Kearney, NE 132.7 mi Norfolk, NE 123.4 mi
Escape planner: Kimball, NE Scenic drives in NE

Explore more options from Kimball, NE or browse trips ending in Lincoln, NE.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NE road trips.