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Trip from Omaha, NE to Kimball, NE

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

Drive Time

7h 25m

Distance

435.1 mi

700 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$68

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
7h 15m ★
6 AM
7h 26m
8 AM
7h 46m
10 AM
7h 33m
12 PM
7h 31m
3 PM
7h 34m
5 PM
7h 45m
8 PM
7h 20m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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seat of Douglas County, and largest city in State of Nebraska, United States

Omaha, NE

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Kimball County, Nebraska, United States

Kimball, NE

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 435.1-mile drive from Omaha, NE to Kimball, NE is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 7 hours and 25 minutes of pure driving time. You'll spend virtually all of your time on highways, with a 99% highway share, making it a focused, efficient journey across the Great Plains. With a fuel cost estimated at $68 and only 2 planned stops, this route is designed for straightforward travel. Consider this a practical, no-frills option for covering ground efficiently within 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

217.6 miles from Omaha, NE

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 429.2 mi 7h 15m
Gerald R Ford Expressway 2 mi 2m
East 3rd Street 1.1 mi 1m
South Highway 71 1 mi 1m
Saint Mary's Avenue 0.8 mi 2m
Link 53E 0.4 mi <1m
South 18th Street 0.1 mi <1m
South 29th Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 429.2 mi, about 7h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Omaha, NE and Kimball, NE.

1

Start on Harney Street

176 ft · 10 sec · Harney Street
2

Turn right onto South 18th Street

0.1 mi · 29 sec · South 18th Street
3

Turn right onto Saint Mary's Avenue

0.8 mi · 2 min · Saint Mary's Avenue
4

Turn left onto South 29th Street

450 ft · 10 sec · South 29th Street
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward I 480 South, US 75 South
6

Merge onto I 480; US 75

1.2 mi · 1 min · Gerald R Ford Expressway
7

Take the exit onto I 480

0.8 mi · 55 sec · Gerald R Ford Expressway
8

Merge onto I 80

348 mi · 5 hr 54 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

81 mi · 1 hr 20 min · I 80
Toward I 80 West: Sidney, Cheyanne
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward NE 71 North: Gering, Scottsbluff
11

Turn right onto N-71

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Highway 71
12

Turn left onto L-53E

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Link 53E
Toward US 30 Use the left lane.
13

Enter roundabout onto L-53E

13 ft · 0 sec · Link 53E
Toward US 30
14

Continue on L-53E

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Link 53E
Toward US 30
15

At end of road, turn left onto US 30; I 80 Alt

1.1 mi · 1 min · East 3rd Street
16

Turn right onto South Chesnut Street

43 ft · 0 sec · South Chesnut Street
17

Arrive at destination

South Chesnut Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour, 25-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure from Omaha to avoid city traffic and maximize daylight. With only two stops planned and such a long stretch on I 80, be sure to fuel up before you hit that main highway segment to avoid any last-minute detours. The 435.1-mile distance is manageable in one day, but keeping an eye on the weather across the open plains is always a good idea. Your estimated fuel cost is around $68 for this journey.

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 217.6 miles from Omaha, NE, or about 3h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 429.2 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 96 miles or 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 217.6 miles or 3h 44m 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 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kimball, NE than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Omaha, 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 Omaha, NE

This is one driving day of about 435.1 miles and 7h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Omaha, 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 429.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kearney, NE

218 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

Lincoln, NE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 96 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kearney, NE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 217.6 miles from Omaha, 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 429.2 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

Monarch Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Omaha, Nebraska

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

Hours: 7–10 am

+14029910660

Visit website

Asli Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Omaha, Nebraska

0.4 mi

Tixteco Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Omaha, Nebraska

1.2 mi

Monarch Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 7–10 am

+14029910660

Visit website

Asli Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 8:30 am–8 pm

+14025102273

Visit website

Tixteco Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14023159766

Visit website

Ole's Big Game Steakhouse & Lounge

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 310.8

Paxton, Nebraska

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+13082394500

Visit website

Mercy Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+17128284200

Visit website

Greek Islands Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14023461528

Visit website

Penny's Diner

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 279.7

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13085359900

Visit website

Luigi's | Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 279.7

North Platte, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13082212961

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Omaha, NE

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 217.6

Lexington, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13083246329

Visit website

The Old Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–1:30 pm

+14023464445

Visit website

Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Museum Of Shadows

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 2–10 pm

+14028857557

Visit website

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+14026611804

Visit website

Windy Gap Saloon & Grill

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 310.8

Paxton, Nebraska

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+13082394482

Visit website

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 31.1

Ashland, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14029442523

Visit website

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 0 and 433.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South 18th Street

Turn right onto South 18th Street

Navigation decision point

5
1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 480 South, US 75 South

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 480 South, US 75 South
5
3.2 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
351.6 mi into trip | ~6h in | I 80

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Sidney, Cheyanne

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 80 West: Sidney, Cheyanne
6
433.8 mi into trip | ~7h 23m in | L-53E / Link 53E

Enter roundabout onto L-53E / Link 53E toward US 30

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward US 30

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$68.02 one way

$136.05 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 152 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $74.69 $149.37
premium $4.89 $83.73 $167.46
diesel $5.61 $96.06 $192.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$68

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$93–$118

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 152.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $46 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 130.5 1 $45.69 $20.88
Efficient EV 108.8 1 $38.07 $17.40
EV Truck/SUV 174 2 $60.91 $27.85

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Omaha, NE

Evening in Omaha on Saturday

Local time

8:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kimball, NE

Evening in Kimball on Saturday

Local time

7:18 PM

MDT

Current temp

78°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 earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

24 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 25m 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?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this 435.1-mile trip, as 99% of the route utilizes major interstates and expressways. The journey is dominated by I 80, which you'll be on for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 429.2 miles. This means consistent speeds and minimal distractions, characteristic of a Great Plains drive. While primarily interstate, the initial and final legs involve city streets like Gerald R Ford Expressway and East 3rd Street as you enter and exit Omaha.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 429.2 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Gerald R Ford Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 18th Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

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 25m, 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: near the start (South 18th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Omaha, NE to Kimball, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Cheyanne along the way.

Cheyanne

351.6 mi in | ~6h | via I 80

About the Cities

Starting in Omaha, NE

Full guide →

Omaha is the largest city in the US state of Nebraska, with about 486,000 residents in 2020. Tourist attractions in Omaha include history, sports, outdoors and cultural experiences. Its principal tourist attractions are the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Men's College World Series. The Old Market in Downtown Omaha is another major attraction and is important to the city's retail economy.

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 7h 25m. Total distance: 435.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 429.2 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 Kimball, 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: near the start (South 18th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kimball, 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.

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