Origin
Kimball, NE
Afternoon in Kimball on Thursday
Local time
1:38 PM
MDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kimball, NE to Lincoln, NE
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
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
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.
Kimball, NE
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
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.
Drive Character
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.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 374.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 191.5 mi from Kimball, NE · 3h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 374.1 miles.
Arriving in Lincoln, NE
The final approach into Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, 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
$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.
Destination
Lincoln, NE
Afternoon in Lincoln on Thursday
Local time
2:38 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Kimball, NE to Lincoln, NE covers 383 miles and takes about 6h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Rosa Parks Way, South Highway 71. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 191.5 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 $59.88 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 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.
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.
The route from Kimball, NE to Lincoln, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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