Best Road Trips From Omaha

Omaha is the perfect blend of urban buzz and Midwestern charm, standing at the crossroads in the heart of America, the ideal launchpad for exploring picturesque landscapes, charming towns and world-renowned cities.

Top Road Trip Destinations From Omaha

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Our rankings are based only on editorial opinion, not any commercial consideration.
Facade of the nature center and aquarium in Sioux Falls on a sunny day
1. Omaha to Sioux Falls
πŸš— 190 miles ⏱️ 3 hours

Take a drive from Omaha to Sioux Falls, discovering the renowned waterfalls that the city is named for, as well as stunning parks and recreation areas.

Make sure to visit highlights including Fort Atkinson State Historical Park and Falls Park during your visit.

Badlands National Park, USA taken just before sunset with the rocky terrain in the foreground.
2. Omaha to Badlands National Park
πŸš— 460 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 30 minutes

Embark on a scenic journey from Omaha to the dramatic landscapes of Badlands National Park, where you can enjoy the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a landscape dotted with geological wonders.

As you approach the national park, don't miss out on a chance to drive along the Badlands Scenic Loop and Big Badlands Overlook.

Back view of the Statue of Coming Through the Rye designed by Frederick Remington at National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
3. Omaha to Oklahoma City
πŸš— 470 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 30 minutes

Discover the heart of the Great Plains as you travel from Omaha to Oklahoma City, home to the Bricktown District, an entertainment hub that truly comes alive at night.

En route you can enjoy rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, passing hotspots Lincoln, Abilene and then Wichita en route.

Silver arched sculpture stands in bright sunlight in front of high rise buildings
4. Omaha to Chicago
πŸš— 510 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 45 minutes

Journey from Omaha to Chicago, experiencing the vibrant urban life of the Windy City. This road trip takes you to a melting pot of culture and history, famed for its impressive architecture, world-class museums, and culinary scene.

You'll pass popular stops in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids as you make your way to the shores of Lake Michigan.

Sioux City is an Urban Center that spans the States of Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska.
5. Omaha to Sioux City
πŸš— 125 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 40 minutes

Sioux City is a wonderful weekend destination from Omaha, with much art, culture, and green spaces to explore. Known as a river city - located along the Missouri River, it has plenty of green spaces, wonderful for hiking, biking and scenic views.

During your journey you'll have the chance to head along the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, also passing through Preparation Canyon State Park and Turin.

Kansas City, Missouri, USA downtown skyline during sunset.
6. Omaha to Kansas City
πŸš— 215 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 45 minutes

This road trip down south from Omaha keeps you close to the scenic Mississippi River. Your destination, Kansas City, is known for its jazz heritage and delicious barbecue.

Visit Nebraska City, with its beautiful historic architecture, and the historically interesting village of Brownville on the way.

Osage Beach, MO, USA taken at early morning sunlight illuminated wood covered hills across a calm reflecting lake with dock in foreground at Lake of the Ozarks
7. Omaha to Lake of the Ozarks
πŸš— 370 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 15 minutes

Embark on a journey from Omaha to the Lake of the Ozarks, where water adventures and natural beauty await.

On the way make sure to stop off at Kansas City and Topeka.

Steam train traveling on a railway bridge with scenic views of autumnal trees below
8. Omaha to Minneapolis
πŸš— 400 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 20 minutes

This road trip from Omaha to Minneapolis is the quintessential American journey, a drive that will take you through the picturesque Midwest.

This journey takes you north past Stuart to visit Perry and Boone.

The Great Platte River Road Archway in Kearney, Nebraska
10. Omaha to Grand Island and Kearney
πŸš— 190 miles ⏱️ 3 hours

On this road trip to Kearney, you can visit two amazing cities rich in both culture and history, Lincoln and Grand Island, the latter of which is also home to stunning nature spots to visit.

You'll head southwest out of Omaha, so stop off at Lincoln before arriving at Grand Island.

Museum in Cedar Rapids viewed from a distance on a bridge, a stone lion statue frames the image on the right
11. Omaha to Des Moines and Cedar Rapids
πŸš— 260 miles ⏱️ 4 hours

You can expect quaint towns and vibrant metropolises as you make this journey towards Ceda Rapids, an arts and cultural hub of eastern Iowa.

Visit Des Moines on the way, the capital city of Iowa State, packed with culture and fun.

Lincoln skyline and Nebraska State Capitol. The Nebraska State Capitol is the seat of government for the U.S. state of Nebraska and is located in downtown Lincoln.
12. Omaha to Lincoln
πŸš— 70 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 20 minutes

Take a quick trip from Omaha to Lincoln, enjoying the close-knit feel and the vibrant cultural scene of Nebraska's capital city.

You can stop at lovely small towns like Springfield, Louisville and Ashland for the authentic small-town experiences.

Bluegrass musician playing at a festival with antiques in the background, Branson, Missouri
13. Omaha to Branson
πŸš— 400 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 20 minutes

Branson is lovingly called β€œLive Entertainment Capital” by the locals, and the road trip from Omaha will be full of fun gigs to enjoy.

As you travel, you'll pass through the stunning Ozark Mountains, a scenic masterpiece.

St. Louis, Missouri skyline with the Gateway Arch in the middle at sunset.
14. Omaha to St Louis
πŸš— 435 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 35 minutes

Visit the beautiful city of St Louis, home to the mega Gateway Arch, a symbol of America's westward expansion.

Embark on a journey from Omaha to St. Louis, for a Tri-City experience, visiting vibrant Kansas City, Columbia, and St Louis, on this drive.

The sign of the historic museum, with the backdrop of a building and trees
15. Omaha to St Joseph and Atchison
πŸš— 155 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 30 minutes

Discover the historical and cultural sights of Atchison during this day or weekend road trip, with a chance to admire the Missouri River flowing through the city.

Make sure to spend time in St Joseph along the way, full of fascinating historic places to visit.

Fiery sunset at the lake, with a wooden dock in view
16. Omaha to Okoboji
πŸš— 210 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 20 minutes

Okoboji is a city in Iowa's Great Lakes region and is a great road trip destination from Omaha, found on the eastern shores of West Okoboji Lake.

Stop off in Sioux City and then Sibley as you make your way towards your destination in Okoboji.

Longer road trips from Omaha