Major city · United States
KimballKimball, Nebraska
Skip as a base. Use Kimball for one night off I-80, or a 2-hour stop at the High Point Welcome Center and downtown, then drive on.
Kimball is a town of about 2,300 people on I-80 in the Nebraska Panhandle, 63 mi from Cheyenne and 30 mi from Sidney. There is no museum district and no reason to build a trip around it: the value is a cheap bed, a diner breakfast and a walkable four-block downtown between long driving days. Plan half a day, not two.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (ice and wind on I-80), Jul–Aug (heat, 30°C (86°F)+)avoid Dec–Feb (ice and wind on I-80), Jul–Aug (heat, 86°F (30°C)+)
- Airports
- IBM · DEN
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kimball911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kimball, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low street crime; the real risks are winter road conditions on I-80, long empty drives and summer heat.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 511 Nebraska road conditions (511)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIBM Kimball Municipal Airport (Robert E.
- Getting aroundA car is required.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a pastry downtown$4–8
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$8–15
- BeerBeer at a downtown bar$4–7
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$110
- Mid-range bedMotel double room (Days Inn or 1st Inn), a night, per roomUS$95
- High-end bedMotel double room (Days Inn or 1st Inn), a night, per roomUS$140
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$100 · High US$160
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IBM Kimball Municipal Airport (Robert E. Arraj Field) (General aviation only; no scheduled airline service — check before planning around it.) · DEN Denver International (About 150 mi via I-80/I-25; the practical airline gateway, roughly 2.5 h by car.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kimball: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
4 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
4 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
4 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is required. Downtown is four blocks and walkable in 10 minutes; the golf course and grain elevators are 2–3 mi out on NE-71 and County Road 32. Streets are numbered east–west with higher numbers north, crossed by named north–south streets — the first digits of an address match the cross street (102 Chestnut is just past 1st and Chestnut).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sidney
goDoor to door: About 30 min
I-80 east, exit 59
Closest town with a museum and full services; easy half-day.
Scottsbluff and Gering
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
NE-71 north through Gering
Zoo, historic theater and Scotts Bluff National Monument; a full day.
Door to door: About 1 h
I-80 west
Largest city in Wyoming; rodeo grounds and museums. Check event dates before going.
Alliance
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
NE-71 north then NE-2 east
Long for a return day; better as an overnight on the way north.
Door to door: About 2 h
NE-71 north then US-20 east
Gateway to Fort Robinson; sleep there rather than driving back.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
I-80 exit 20 / South Chestnut Street
The motel strip: Days Inn and the 1st Inn cluster, diner across the road. Best for one night with a car.
Downtown (Chestnut and 3rd)
Bakery, coffee, bar and grill within a 5-minute walk; almost no beds, so treat it as the evening, not the base.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–140 excl. bed
- High
- $140+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room (Days Inn or 1st Inn)1 × 1 night × US$95 | US$95 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Fuel, 150 mi round trip at 28 mpg1 × US$20 · check | US$20 |
| Diner breakfast, per person2 × US$12 | US$24 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$37 |
| Trip total≈ US$203 per person per day, bed included | US$406 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at the till. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a pastry downtown | $4–8 |
| Diner breakfast | $8–15 |
| Tacos or a burrito at the Kwik Stop counter | $3–10 |
| Beer at a downtown bar | $4–7 |
| Motel double room, off-season | $60–100 |
| Gallon of gas | $3.00–3.60 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter driving on I-80: ice, blowing snow and closures are common Dec–Feb; check Nebraska 511 before leaving.
- Fuel and food gaps: fill up in Kimball or Sidney, not between them.
- Cell coverage is thin on NE-71 north toward Gering.
- No rideshare worth relying on; drive or call a local taxi.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Nebraska road conditions (511)
- 511
Pocket card
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KimballKimball, Nebraska
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Nebraska road conditions511
Embassy
No consulates in Kimball. Nearest consulates-general are in Denver, about 150 mi west; embassies are in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kimball → Sidney, I-80 east: 30 mi, about 30 min
- Kimball → Cheyenne, I-80 west: 63 mi, about 1 h
- Kimball → Scottsbluff, NE-71 north: about 55 mi, 1 h 15 min
Say or show
- Where is I-80? — Where is the interstate?
- Is I-80 open? — Is the road open?
- Fill it up, please — Fill it up, please
- Can I get the check? — The check, please
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink at the bar. Sales tax is added on top of posted prices.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kimball. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (ice and wind on I-80), Jul–Aug (heat, 30°C+) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for Kimball: no scheduled service at IBM, so route arrivals via DEN with a checked drive time and a winter closure fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Chestnut Street, the I-80 exit 20 motel strip, the golf course and Windbreak, the West Main grain elevators.
- Place pages with verified hours (High Point Welcome Center, Goodhand Theater, Kimball Public Library) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.