Origin
Kimball, NE
Afternoon in Kimball on Sunday
Local time
4:19 PM
MDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kimball, NE to Hastings, NE
Drive Time
5h 12m
Distance
300.4 mi
483 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 59m
★
6 AM
5h 13m
8 AM
5h 40m
10 AM
5h 22m
12 PM
5h 20m
3 PM
5h 24m
5 PM
5h 39m
8 PM
5h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kimball, NE
Felix Schickel
Hastings, NE
Angel Smith
Trip Overview
Traveling across Nebraska from Kimball to Hastings covers 300.4 miles of Great Plains landscape. You can expect to spend about 5 hours and 12 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable one-day trip for most drivers. With a fuel budget of approximately $46, the route is straightforward and efficient. You will spend the vast majority of your journey on I-80 before transitioning to West Highway 6 and 40 Road. Since you are staying within the Great Plains region for the duration of the trip, you can anticipate consistent terrain throughout your transit. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that connects the western and central parts of the state effectively.
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
150.2 miles from Kimball, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused route is defined by its reliance on major thoroughfares, with 93% of the journey taking place on highways. You will settle in for a significant stretch of travel, as the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive spans 262.4 miles on I-80. While the interstate portion allows for steady, consistent speeds, the transition to West Highway 6 and 40 Road offers a change of pace as you near your destination. Expect a fairly uniform experience behind the wheel, as the road prioritizes directness over technical maneuvers. The drive maintains a steady rhythm, perfect for those who prefer straightforward navigation over complex winding paths.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 262.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and West Highway 6. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near L-53E / Link 53E.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 12m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (L-53E / Link 53E): Navigation decision point; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
L-53E / Link 53E
Turn right onto L-53E / Link 53E toward US 30
Navigation decision point
Toward US 30
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.
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
300.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 12m in
|
US 6 Business / West 3rd Street
Turn left onto US 6 Business / West 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 262.4 mi | 4h 22m |
| West Highway 6 | 16 mi | 18m |
| 40 Road | 6 mi | 8m |
| Senator Carl T. Curtis Drive | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Lowell Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| W Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| West 2nd Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South Marian Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 262.4 mi, about 4h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kimball, NE and Hastings, 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
262 mi
·
4 hr 22 min
·
I 80
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward NE 10C Link: Gibbon
10
Turn right onto Lowell Road
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Lowell Road
11
Turn left onto W Road
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
W Road
12
Turn right onto 40 Road
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
40 Road
13
Turn left onto Q Road
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Q Road
14
Continue on Q Road
136 ft
·
7 sec
·
Q Road
15
Turn left onto US 6; US 34
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Senator Carl T. Curtis Drive
16
Continue on US 6; US 34
14 mi
·
16 min
·
West Highway 6
17
Enter roundabout onto US 6; US 34
146 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Highway 6
18
Continue on US 6; US 34
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Highway 6
19
Turn left onto South Marian Road
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Marian Road
20
Turn right onto US 6 Business
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West 2nd Street
21
Turn left onto North Kansas Avenue
334 ft
·
22 sec
·
North Kansas Avenue
22
Turn left onto US 6 Business
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
West 3rd Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 6 Business
Trip Plan
Planning for a single stop is recommended to break up the 5-hour drive and keep your energy levels consistent. Because the route is dominated by a long interstate stretch, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic periods near major junctions. Budget your $46 fuel cost ahead of time, as prices can fluctuate depending on where you choose to pull off for gas. Since this is a high-mileage day, make sure your vehicle is prepared for the 262.4-mile stint on I-80 before you leave. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor your fuel levels before leaving the interstate, as the transition to the final local roads may offer fewer service options than the main highway.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 150.2 miles from Kimball, NE, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 262.4 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 80 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.2 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hastings, 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 300.4 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 262.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 150.2 mi from Kimball, NE · 2h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
150 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 150.2 miles from Kimball, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 262.4 miles.
Arriving in Hastings, NE
The final approach into Hastings, NE usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Hastings, NE.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.63 one way
$91.26 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
105 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $50.30 | $100.60 |
| premium | $4.80 | $56.71 | $113.42 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $66.74 | $133.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.1 | 1 | $31.54 | $14.42 |
| Efficient EV | 75.1 | 0 | $26.28 | $12.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120.2 | 1 | $42.06 | $19.23 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Hastings, NE
Evening in Hastings on Sunday
Local time
5:19 PM
CDT
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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
41 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
5h 12m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Kimball, NE to Hastings, NE covers 300.4 miles and takes about 5h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, West Highway 6, 40 Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 150.2 miles from Kimball, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.63 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 12m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (L-53E / Link 53E): Navigation decision point; 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.
The route from Kimball, NE to Hastings, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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