Drive Time
4h 27m
Distance
301 mi
Route Type
Turn-heavy local drive
Long day tripSame Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
The drive from Kimball, NE to Hastings, NE covers 301 miles and takes about 4h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East 3rd Street, Link 53E, Highway 71 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.88 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
150.5 miles from Kimball, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 27m drive with frequent turns across 301 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 3rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Link 53E | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 71 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 80 east | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| NE 44 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 2nd Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Q Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Senator Carl T | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Kimball, NE and Hastings, NE.
Start on South Chesnut Street
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
Turn right onto Link 53E
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Link 53E
Exit the roundabout onto Link 53E
Turn right onto South Highway 71
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 east
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
Turn right onto South 2nd Avenue
Turn left
Turn right
Turn left onto Q Road
Continue on Q Road
Turn left onto Senator Carl T. Curtis Drive
Continue on West Highway 6
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Exit the rotary onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Continue on West Highway 6
Turn left onto South Marian Road
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
Turn left onto North Kansas Avenue
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.5 miles or 2h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hastings, NE than in the middle of the route.
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 301 miles and 4h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 150.5 mi from Kimball, NE · 2h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 150.5 miles from Kimball, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$40.88 one way
$81.77 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $45.62 | $91.25 |
| premium | $4.15 | $49.18 | $98.36 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $44.44 | $88.88 |
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals (1 day)
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.3 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Kimball on Saturday
Local time
2:46 AM
MDT
Current temp
37°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Hastings on Saturday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Explore more options from Kimball, NE or browse trips ending in Hastings, NE.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NE road trips.
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