Nebraska driving guide

Use our Nebraska driving guide to find out more about driving in the Cornhusker State. From speed limits in Nebraska to toll roads and car seat requirements, you’ll find all the information you need for driving through Nebraska with Hertz. 

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between Nebraska and other states
• Driving conditions 

Quick rules of the road

• Pedestrians on crosswalks have right of way, along with any situation where not giving way could cause an accident.
• When the wipers are in use, headlights must be switched on.
• If an emergency or road assistance vehicle comes to a stop with lights flashing, drivers must move at least one lane away. If it is not safe to move lanes, drivers must slow down and be prepared to stop if needed.
• It’s against the law to use a handheld device to read, write, or send messages while driving.

Speed limits in Nebraska

Below you can discover the speed limits in Nebraska for different roads.

Toll roads in Nebraska

There are two toll bridges in Nebraska. Below you can find out where they are, how much they cost and how to pay. 

The Bellevue Bridge

Running over the Missouri River, the Bellevue Bridge connects Sarpy County in Nebraska to Mills County in Iowa.

From: Bellevue, NE

To: Mills County, IA

Cost for car: $1.00, plus $0.50 per extra axle

Cost for truck: $2.00+ for large trucks and towing vehicles, $1.00 per axle

How to pay: Cash only, at the toll booths located on either side of the bridge.

The Plattsmouth Bridge

Spanning 0.27 miles across the Missouri River, the Plattsmouth Bridge connects Nebraska to Iowa.

From: Cass County, NE

To: Mills County, IA

Cost for car: $1.75

Cost for truck: $3.00

How to pay: Cash only at the toll booths.

Driving ages and license requirements in Nebraska

• The minimum legal driving age in Nebraska is 17.
• The minimum age to rent a car in Nebraska with Hertz is 19.

While drivers under 25 get a great choice of vehicles, some of our collections are excluded, including the Dream Car® collection, Prestige Collection, and the Adrenaline Collection®. You can find out more in our guide for renters under the age of 25.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in Nebraska

In your vehicle, you must have your:

• Driving license
• Registration/rental document
• Vehicle insurance.

If you’re travelling in winter, you should also be prepared for extreme conditions and cold temperatures – so, be sure to pack a winter-essential kit.

There are some items which should not be carried in your Hertz car rental. For a list of these items, please check your rental agreement.

Nebraska speed violations, infractions and penalties

If you break the speed limit in Nebraska, you can face fines from $10 up to $600.

• If you drive up to 5mph over the speed limit – $10
• From 5-9mph over the speed limit – $25
• From 10-14mph over the speed limit – $75
• From 15-19mph over the speed limit – $125
• From 20-34mph over the speed limit – $200
• From 35mph over the speed limit – $300.

Fines are doubled if you are caught speeding in a construction zone or school zone.

Driving with children in Nebraska

Car seat requirements in Nebraska state that:

• Children up to the age of eight must be in a federally approved child seat in the rear of the vehicle.
• Children aged eight to 18 must travel secured in a safety belt or child booster seat.

Gas prices in Nebraska

The average gas price in Nebraska is $3.47 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a Ford Focus, that’s about $0.09 per mile.
• For a larger family car like a Mazda 3, it works out at $0.12 per mile.
• And for an SUV like a Chevrolet Equinox, it’s around $0.13 per mile.

Gas price figure last updated November 8, 2022. 

Electric car charging in Nebraska

If you opt for an electric rental vehicle, you can drive confidently through Nebraska knowing there are 186 charging stations, with 383 chargers in total.

Driving between Nebraska and other states

Nebraska has six neighboring states. So, whether you choose to venture to Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa or beyond, you can easily do so in your Hertz rental car.

Our one-way rental service even means you can drop your rental at a different state to the one you pick up from without hassle.

Driving conditions in Nebraska

Nebraska’s summers tend to be warm and humid, but they can also be wet. Winters are freezing, with strong winds and snow.

During the hotter months, between May and September, the average daily high is over 77°F, while the colder months – November to February – bring an average temperature of below 44°F. So, no matter when you travel, make sure you plan your road trip with the weather in mind.