A road trip to Dallas from Omaha, Nebraska, takes you from the biggest city in Nebraska to one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States.
A 660-mile road trip to Dallas from Omaha, Nebraska, takes you through the states of Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma, past a collection of the most iconic yet overlooked cities and attractions in the Midwest, en route to your destination in Texas.
With so much to do and see along the way, we highly recommend anyone taking this trip read on to ensure they don’t miss out on anything.
A Road Trip To Dallas From Omaha, Nebraska: How Far Is It, What Is The Best Route, & How Long Will It Take To Get There?
A road trip to Dallas from Omaha, Nebraska, covers at least 660 miles (1062 kilometres) and takes 9 hours and 40 minutes to drive. However, for those who want to see the very best the region offers, we suggest taking a longer route that covers 865 miles (1392 kilometres) and takes 13 hours to drive.
We will outline both routes below and make it clear which stops and attractions are available on each route in the relevant sections.
The Short Route
The “short” route is still quite long, but short comparatively and fairly straightforward. It will see you take US Route 75 south to Topeka, Kansas, before heading southwest on I-335. When this merges with I-35, you will continue following it south to your destination in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
The Best Route
The best route for a road trip to Dallas from Omaha, Nebraska, begins with you taking I-80 southwest to Lincoln. You then take US Route 77 south to Saltillo, before following Nebraska Highway 2 to Nebraska City. Use US Route 75 to go south again and follow it until you reach Topeka, Kansas.
From here, go southwest on I-335 and continue following it after it merges with I-35. Use Exit 194A in Oklahoma to go east on US Route 412 and remain on it until you reach Tulsa. I-44 southwest will then take you back to I-35, which you will use to go the rest of the way to your destination in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Best Time For A Road Trip To Dallas From Omaha, Nebraska
The best time for a road trip to Dallas from Omaha, Nebraska, is from the start of July to mid-September.
This period avoids the height of tornado season, which hits the region in May and June each year, and syncs up with the warmest, driest stretch that both our destination of Dallas and chosen route see each year. This makes it an ideal time to make the journey to ensure you have a safe, pleasant trip throughout.
Best Place To Stop On A Road Trip To Dallas From Omaha, Nebraska
With a road trip to Dallas from Omaha, Nebraska, taking over 9 and 1/2 hours to drive, most people want to split the journey into more manageable chunks. There are several great places along the way to do this, but none offer nearly as much value as Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The capital and most populous city in Oklahoma, Oklahoma City is known for its cowboy culture and rich history with the oil industry, and also boasts a vibrant mix of Western heritage, modern attractions, and family-friendly fun.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is a powerful and moving tribute to the victims of the 1995 bombing, while the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum showcases classic art, artifacts, and cowboy lore.
The revitalized Bricktown Entertainment District features a canal lined with restaurants, bars, shops, and a minor league baseball stadium, making it perfect for a lively evening out. Meanwhile, at Paycom Center, you can see the state’s only professional sports team from one of the big four leagues, the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA.
Families, nature lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy attractions like the Oklahoma City Zoo, Lake Hefner, the Science Museum Oklahoma, the Oklahoma River Trails, and Scissortail Park, a spacious green area offering walking paths, gardens, and outdoor events.
Best Hotel To Stay At In Oklahoma City – The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City
The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City is a historic, luxurious, 4-star hotel with classic charm in Downtown Oklahoma City. Opened in 1911 by William Balser "Bill" Skirvin, it has been a prominent fixture in the city for over a century, and has hosted numerous dignitaries, celebrities, and even U.S. presidents.
It boasts 225 elegant rooms and suites, all providing the height of comfort and sophistication. Each is beautifully decorated and features luxurious linens, comfortable furnishings, and amenities like air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a big screen TV, and a private, marble bathroom.
Guests can enjoy amenities like an indoor pool, fitness center, extensive event spaces, and multiple bars and restaurants, including the Park Avenue Grill, which offers all-day dining, and the Red Piano Lounge, which is known for its live jazz performances. Meanwhile, its prime location provides easy access to many of OKC’s top attractions.
Top Attractions On A Road Trip To Dallas From Omaha, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska (Best Route)
The capital and second-most populous city in Nebraska, Lincoln is a charming and welcoming city with a small-town vibe. Home to the University of Nebraska, it offers visitors a mix of history, culture, nature, sports, and Midwestern hospitality, all packaged together with a vibrant, youthful energy.
History buffs will love the Nebraska State Capitol, a striking architectural landmark offering panoramic views from its tower and beautiful mosaics and murals depicting the state's heritage. The Nebraska History Museum and Museum of American Speed are also great places to get insights into all aspects of the region’s past, from pioneer life to automotive innovation.
The Haymarket District is home to a vibrant arts and entertainment scene. Its restored brick warehouses house lively art galleries, boutiques, breweries, and farm-to-table restaurants, as well as numerous festivals, farmers markets, and live music events that showcase local talent and community spirit.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy more than 130 miles of bike trails, numerous parks, including the nature-filled Pioneers Park, and the serene Sunken Gardens botanical garden. You put all this together, and Lincoln, Nebraska, is a city that truly has something to offer for everyone.
Topeka, Kansas (Both Routes)
Topeka is the capital and the 5th most populous city in Kansas. Known for its rich blend of history, cultural attractions, and relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, it played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. Nowhere is this clearer than at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, which teaches visitors about the landmark Supreme Court case that helped end segregation in public schools.
Other historical and political attractions in Topeka include the Kansas State Capitol, a stunning building featuring murals by artist John Steuart Curry, and panoramic city views from its dome. You also have the Kansas Museum of History and the Combat Air Museum.
The NOTO Arts & Entertainment District is the heart of Topeka’s growing arts and recreation scene, and boasts an extensive collection of colorful murals, local galleries, cafes, and live music.
Lake Shawnee offers outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy activities like boating, fishing, and hiking on scenic trails, and the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center in Gage Park is a popular attraction for nature lovers of all ages.
Wichita, Kansas (Both Routes)
Wichita is the largest city in Kansas and offers a unique blend of Midwestern charm, aviation history, and cultural richness. Affectionately known as the “Air Capital of the World,” Wichita has deep roots in the aviation industry, with many major manufacturers headquartered there. This legacy is celebrated at the Kansas Aviation Museum, which is housed in a historic Art Deco terminal.
Wichita boasts an impressive array of museums, performing arts options, and public art. The Wichita Art Museum, Old Cowtown Museum, and Exploration Place offer engaging experiences for visitors of all ages, and the 44-foot Keeper of the Plains sculpture at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers is a beautiful marvel of engineering, especially when lit up at night.
Nature lovers will enjoy the Arkansas River Trail, the Botanica Wichita gardens, or the Sedgwick County Zoo, and foodies will appreciate a thriving food scene boasting everything from classic Kansas barbecue to trendy farm-to-table eateries, breweries, and coffeehouses.
Tulsa, Oklahoma (Best Route)
Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a vibrant city that blends Art Deco architecture, rich Native American and oil history, and a growing arts and music scene. Once known as the “Oil Capital of the World,” its past is visible in its stunning downtown buildings, museums, and institutions.
The Gilcrease Museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of American Western art, and the Philbrook Museum of Art combines an art museum and a historic Italian-style villa with beautifully manicured gardens. The Bob Dylan Center and the Woody Guthrie Center in the Arts District are then ideal stops for music lovers.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Gathering Place Park, with its walking trails, playgrounds, gardens, scenic spots along the Arkansas River, and abundance of nature. Meanwhile, Tulsa’s dynamic food and nightlife scene, which includes lively bars, farm-to-table restaurants, craft beer breweries, and the iconic River Spirit Tulsa and its variety of gaming options and poker room, will keep even casual tourists happy.
Chickasaw Cultural Center (Both Routes)
Chickasaw Cultural Center is located in Sulphur, Oklahoma, on Chickasaw Nation land. One of the premier Native American cultural destinations in the United States, it blends modern museum design with authentic cultural storytelling, to offer an immersive look at the history, traditions, and ongoing story of the Chickasaw people.
Chikasha Poya Exhibit Center provides interactive exhibits, artifacts, and multimedia presentations that trace the Chickasaw people’s journey from their ancestral homelands in the Southeast, through forced removal along the Trail of Tears, to their current location in Oklahoma.
An outdoor Traditional Village lets visitors see traditional Chickasaw homes, live demonstrations of Chickasaw crafts, stomp dances, and cooking practices. The center also features The Spirit Forest, theater presentations, a café offering Chickasaw-inspired cuisine, and a gift shop with Native-made goods.
Add in regular special events, performances, and cultural workshops during the year, and the Chickasaw Cultural Center is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Native American history or culture.
Durant, Oklahoma (Both Routes)
Durant, Oklahoma, is a slight detour from both routes, but the “Magnolia Capital of Oklahoma” is a charming small city worth the journey. The headquarters of the Choctaw Nation, this influence is clear throughout the community, which boasts a fabulous blend of cultural, recreational, and entertainment attractions.
Durant is home to the impressive Choctaw Casino & Resort, one of the largest casinos in the region, which is well known for its poker room. It offers a full range of gaming, dining, live entertainment, and family-friendly amenities, including a pool complex and arcade.
The Three Valley Museum guides you through the region’s past, and Historic Downtown Durant features local shops, cafés, and the beautifully restored George Washington Elementary School, now used as a performance venue.
The nearby Lake Texoma is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States and is perfect for fishing, boating, and camping. The city also celebrates its Southern charm with the annual Magnolia Festival, which features parades, live music, arts and crafts, and a carnival.
Thackerville, Oklahoma (Both Routes)
Thackerville, Oklahoma, is a small town that offers a mix of gaming excitement, outdoor recreation, and local charm, with attractions like Love Valley Wildlife Management Area for hiking and wildlife viewing, Lake Murray State Park for boating, fishing, and camping, and various local businesses to browse.
However, Thackerville is best known as the home of the WinStar World Casino and Resort, the largest casino in the United States, which has over 600,000 square feet of gaming space. It boasts more than 8,600 electronic games, nearly 100 table games, and a world-class, 55-table poker room.
Beyond gaming, there are a variety of entertainment options, such as the WinStar Global Event Center, which hosts concerts and events, the WinStar Golf Club, and a ridiculous selection of dining options that range from casual eateries to fine dining establishments.
The nearby Border Casino, operated by the Chickasaw Nation, offers additional gaming opportunities.
Final Thoughts On Planning A Road Trip To Dallas From Omaha, Nebraska
That brings our guide to planning a perfect road trip to Dallas from Omaha, Nebraska, to a close. You should now have all the information you need to make the drive yourself, including when to go, what route to use, where to stay, and what to see along the way.
All that’s left to do is decide what to take with you and start getting everything budgeted for and booked, so you can look forward to enjoying it all for yourself as soon as possible.
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