Commute Times
Living within 30 minutes of your workplace is possible from almost anywhere in Omaha.
According to TomTom’s traffic index, Omaha ranks #61 on a list of cities with congested highways.
I created the video below and go into quite a bit of detail about rush hour, major streets, and more.
Average Commute Times
If you are curious about different commute times in Omaha, click on the city or area below to get a better idea.
Here are some sample times commuting from downtown Omaha.
Downtown Omaha to Midtown Omaha – 5 to 15 minutes
Downtown Omaha to Elkhorn / West Omaha – 20 to 35 minutes
Downtown Omaha to Papillion – 20 to 35 minutes
Downtown Omaha to Bennington – 25 to 40 minutes
Downtown Omaha to Bellevue / Offutt Air Force Base – 15 to 20 minutes
Downtown Omaha to Gretna – 25 to 45 minutes
Here are some sample times commuting from Midtown Omaha.
Midtown to Downtown Omaha – 5 to 15 minutes
Midtown to Elkhorn / West Omaha – 15 to 25 minutes
Midtown to Papillion – 20 to 35 minutes
Midtown to Bennington – 20 to 35 minutes
Midtown to Bellevue / Offutt Air Force Base – 15 to 25 minutes
Midtown to Gretna – 20 to 40 minutes
Elkhorn to Downtown – 20 to 35 minutes
Elkhorn to Midtown – 15 to 25 minutes
Elkhorn to Papillion – 25 to 45 minutes
Elkhorn to Gretna – 10 to 20 minutes
Elkhorn to Bennington – 10 to 20 minutes
Elkhorn to Bellevue / Offutt Air Force Base – 25 to 45 minutes
Papillion to Downtown Omaha – 20 to 35 minutes
Papillion to Midtown – 20 to 35 minutes
Papillion to Elkhorn – 25 to 45 minutes
Papillion to Gretna – 15 to 25 minutes
Papillion to Bennington – 35 to 50 minutes
Bennington to Downtown Omaha – 25 to 40 minutes
Bennington to Midtown Omaha – 20 to 35 minutes
Bennington to Elkhorn / West Omaha – 10 to 20 minutes
Bennington to Papillion – 35 to 50 minutes
Bennington to Bellevue / Offutt Air Force Base – 35 to 50 minutes
Bennington to Gretna – 20 to 40 minutes
Bellevue / Offutt Air Force Base to Downtown Omaha – 15 to 20 minutes
Bellevue / Offutt Air Force Base to Midtown Omaha – 15 to 25 minutes
Bellevue / Offutt Air Force Base to Elkhorn / West Omaha – 25 to 45 minutes
Bellevue / Offutt Air Force Base to Papillion – 35 to 50 minutes
Bellevue / Offutt Air Force Base to Bennington – 35 to 50 minutes
Bellevue / Offutt Air Force Base to Gretna – 20 to 30 minutes
Gretna to Downtown Omaha – 25 to 45 minutes
Gretna to Midtown Omaha – 20 to 40 minutes
Gretna to Elkhorn / West Omaha – 10 to 20 minutes
Gretna to Papillion – 15 to 25 minutes
Gretna to Bennington – 20 to 40 minutes
Gretna to Bellevue / Offutt Air Force Base – 25 to 35 minutes
Lincoln to Downtown Omaha – 55 to 75 minutes
Lincoln to Midtown Omaha – 50 to 70 minutes
Lincoln to Elkhorn / West Omaha – 55 to 75 minutes
Lincoln to Papillion – 50 to 60 minutes
Lincoln to Bennington – 60 to 80 minutes
Lincoln to Bellevue / Offutt Air Force Base – 60 to 80 minutes
Morning Rush Hour
Morning rush hour typically occurs between 6:30 and 8:00 am, with the majority of commuters heading towards downtown Omaha.
Key routes include Dodge Street and I-80, which can become choke points during peak times. Additionally, traffic from Lincoln impacts the I-80 corridor.

The map above shows the direction of heavy traffic during the morning commute. Most drivers are headed toward the midtown and downtown area.

Evening Rush Hour
Rush hour in the evening is typically between 4:30 PM and 6 PM.
You can reverse the map above to get an idea of the direction of heavy traffic in the evening. Traffic will be more heavy traveling west.
Timing matters during rush hour as leaving 5-10 minutes earlier could cut commute time in half.

The intersection of 72nd and Dodge (above) is one of the busiest in Omaha. It was once considered the center of the city. That was before the city kept growing to the west.
Commuting Tips
Get a Pair of Sunglasses
With typical traffic patterns in Omaha, morning commuters often drive towards the rising sun, while evening commuters face the setting sun. This can cause sun glare, which can impact your drive.
Investing in a good pair of sunglasses can make your commute more comfortable and safe.
Beware of Construction
There is a joke that there are two seasons in Omaha. Winter and construction season.
Once you’ve figured out your commute, be prepared for potential disruptions during construction season, which typically occurs during spring, summer, and fall.
Road closures and lane closures can impact your daily drive, so staying informed about construction projects and adjusting your route accordingly is crucial.
No Left Turns on Dodge St.
If you are traveling on Dodge St. between 30th St and 72nd St, you are not allowed to take a left-hand turn.
This can be a little confusing at first. The signs aren’t always that obvious.
Current Road Conditions
If you are looking for up-to-the-minute updates on traffic in the area, here are a few resources.
FAQ
Morning rush hour typically occurs between 6:30 and 8:00 am. The majority of commuters will be heading from west Omaha to the east.
Commute time from west Omaha to downtown during rush hour can range from 20-40 minutes depending on the day.
Commute time from Elkhorn to downtown during rush hour can range from 25-40 minutes.
The evening rush hour in Omaha is typically between 4:30 PM and 6 PM.