How far is North Platte, NE from Kimball, NE?

The driving distance from North Platte, NE to Kimball, NE is about 157.7 miles (253.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 150.9 miles (242.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
157.67 mi
02h 40m
Flight
150.88 mi
242.81 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Platte.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
150.88 mi
Kilometers
242.81 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
157.67 mi
Kilometers
253.75 km
Drive Time
02h 40m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kimball
Thu, Apr 23, 1:23 AM MDT
Return by in North Platte
Thu, Apr 23, 5:04 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Platte
2026-04-22T23:42
Arrive Kimball
Thu, Apr 23, 2:23 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:08 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North Platte
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Big Springs
NE

Village in the United States

From North Platte
78.7 mi
01h 20m
To Kimball
79 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 30 mph S
Destination
83°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North Platte and Kimball.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Platte and Kimball.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    48 m · 14 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West William Avenue

    122 m · 20 sec · West William Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Jeffers Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · South Jeffers Street

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West

    2961 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    72.8 mi · 1 hr 13 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Sidney, Cheyanne

    80.7 mi · 1 hr 21 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward NE 71 North: Gering, Scottsbluff

    1749 ft · 43 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto South Highway 71

    1 mi · 1 min · South Highway 71

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Link 53E

    572 ft · 15 sec · Link 53E

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Link 53E

    4 m · 1 sec · Link 53E

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout onto Link 53E

    1553 ft · 34 sec · Link 53E

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East 3rd Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East 3rd Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Chesnut Street

    13 m · 1 sec · South Chesnut Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Chesnut Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North Platte and Kimball.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
154 mi · 98%
East 3rd Street
1.06 mi · 1%
South Highway 71
1.01 mi · 1%
South Jeffers Street
0.68 mi
Link 53E
0.41 mi
NE 71 North
0.33 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Sidney, Cheyanne

80.7 mi · 01h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.8 mi
150.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Big Springs
01h 20m from North Platte
Leave By
1:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving North Platte and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Kimball.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North Platte to Kimball?

The road trip is about 157.7 miles (253.8 km) and usually takes 02h 40m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Big Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.7 miles from North Platte and 79 miles from Kimball.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 150.9 miles (242.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.97 one way or $41.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.4 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between North Platte and Kimball, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around North Platte and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Kimball.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Platte and Kimball. Straight-line distance: 150.88 mi (242.81 km).

North Platte

#1 North Platte

City in Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States

Population23,202
Coordinates41.1238900, -100.7654200
Altitude854
CountryUnited States
Kimball

#2 Kimball

City in Kimball County, Nebraska, United States

Population2,282
Coordinates41.2358100, -103.6630000
Altitude1437
CountryUnited States
Start: North Platte (-100.76542, 41.12389)
End: Kimball (-103.663, 41.23581)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 254 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.56 gal
21.06 L · about $20.97
Round trip
$41.93
11.12 gal · 42.12 L
Estimated CO2
49.4 kg one way
Round trip: 98.8 kg / 218 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.97 $41.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.65 $47.29
Premium $4.65 $25.88 $51.75
Diesel $5.30 $29.49 $58.98

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Nebraska · Apr 23, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between North Platte, NE and Kimball, NE. The current time in North Platte is 23:42:59, although it is 22:42:59 in Kimball.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.