Omaha to Colorado Springs drive: Distance, time & best stops

The best road trip stops on the Omaha to Colorado Springs drive are Kearney NE, North Platte NE and Denver. The distance from Omaha to Colorado Springs by car is 610 miles, with an 8h43m driving time.

Planning an Omaha to Colorado Springs road trip itinerary

The Omaha to Colorado Springs drive connects the biggest city in Nebraska to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

Omaha is the biggest city in Nebraska, and has a handful of solid attractions rather than anything truly great.

The Durham Museum has a rather eclectic set of exhibits, but the setting is marvellous – in the art deco Union Station. On a sunny day, meanwhile, the Heartland of America Park offers great views of the Missouri River.

Top Omaha experiences include electric bike rentals, scavenger hunts and the Henly Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

Omaha hotels with excellent guest ratings include the Cambria and the Kimpton Cottonwood.

Colorado Springs is at the foot of the Rockies – most notably the 14,114ft-high Pikes Peak. You can take a Jeep tour to the top, or go via the cog railway. The other natural highlight is the Garden of the Gods, a park with giant red sandstone formations jutting out towards the sky. Ways of exploring include Jeep tours, ebike adventures and Segway tours.

Other interesting Colorado Springs experiences include falconry classes, food tours, hot air balloon flights and ziplining.

For memorable Colorado Springs accommodation with character, go for the Great Wolf Lodge or the Mining Exchange.

Omaha to Colorado Springs distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Omaha to Colorado Springs is 610 miles. You can expect a driving time of around eight hours and 43 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-80, I-76 and I-25.

The best stops to add to an Omaha to Colorado Springs road trip itinerary are Kearney NE, North Platte NE and Denver.

For more suggestions, see the guides to the Omaha to Denver drive and Denver to Colorado Springs drive.

Omaha to Colorado Springs drive: Kearney NE

There are a few moderately interesting museums in Kearney, Nebraska. The Kearney Area Children’s Museum has plenty of interactivity for the kids, MONA covers art and the Fort Kearney Museum offers glass bottom boat rides.

But easily Kearney’s most prominent attraction is the Great Platte River Road Archway. It straddles the I-80, and you can go inside for exhibits about the Oregon Trail.

Best stops between Omaha and Colorado Springs: North Platte NE

North Platte NE is officially home to the largest railroad yard in the world, and you can get a panoramic view over the Bailey Yard from the Golden Spike Tower. Exhibits within the tower celebrate the Union Pacific Railroad, which operates across 23 states.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bill Ranch was the former home of William Cody. Better known as Buffalo Bill, Cody was one of the great characters of the Wild West – a buffalo hunter, a Pony Express rider and a shameless showman.