What to know for the Husker game day commute

EVERY STAND. AND HAPPY HOME OPENER HUSKER FANS. MEMORIAL STADIUM WILL BE ROCKING TONIGHT AS NEBRASKA KICKS OFF UNDER THE LIGHTS. BUT BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT, CONSTRUCTION ON I-80 AND BUSY LINCOLN EXITS MIGHT SLOW YOU DOWN. AND WITH EVERYTHING NEW THIS SEASON, SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE. KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN SAMANTHA PASTORINO HAS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO NAVIGATE THE GAME. WELL, HAPPY HOME OPENER DAY, HUSKER FANS. AND IN ADDITION TO THE SEA OF RED GEAR, WE’LL SEE ALL DAY TO DAY DRIVERS EXPECT TO SEE MORE TRAFFIC. CONSTRUCTION IN SEVERAL SPOTS COULD SLOW DOWN YOUR GAME DAY DRIVE. SO HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. PEOPLE DRIVING FROM LINCOLN TO OMAHA. THIS RIGHT HERE WILL BE A BIG SLOWDOWN SPOT. I-80 WESTBOUND FROM Q TO 144TH STREET. THAT STRETCH IS DOWN TO TWO LANES. AND IF YOU TAKE THAT STRETCH, YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO A LOT MORE TIME FOR YOUR DRIVE. NOW, WHEN YOU DO GET TO LINCOLN, HERE’S YOUR EXITS. IF ARRIVING FROM THE WEST, TAKE EXIT 397. AND IF COMING FROM THE EAST, USE EXIT 401. AND WHEN LEAVING THE GAME, HOPEFULLY AFTER A BIG RED WIN, KEEP THIS IN MIND. MNDOT SAYS AVOID EXIT 409 BETWEEN LINCOLN AND WAVERLE. WHEN LEAVING, IT GETS REALLY BUSY AND THEY RECOMMEND STAYING IN LINCOLN A WHILE AFTER THE GAME TO AVOID THAT IMMEDIATE HEAVY TRAFFIC. NOW FOR WHEN YOU DO GET NEAR MEMORIAL. THE LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE WILL BE LAW ENFORCEMENT HELPING WITH THAT TRAFFIC FLOW. PREGAME. I HAVE MY OFFICERS OUT THERE ABOUT TWO HOURS BEFORE KICKOFF. OKAY, POST GAME. IT JUST DEPENDS ON HOW HOW TRAFFIC IS FLOWING. IT’S USUALLY AT LEAST AN HOUR AFTER THE GAME, SOMETIMES UP TO TWO HOURS AFTER THE GAME. NOW THAT HELPS WITH YOUR COMMUTE GAME PLAN. BUT ALSO NOTE THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR ALCOHOL WILL BE SOLD IN MEMORIAL STADIUM. ENSURING YOU HAVE A DESIGNATED DRIVER WIL

Updated: 8:51 AM CDT Sep 6, 2025

Samantha Pastorino

Reporter

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What to know for the Husker game day commute

Updated: 8:51 AM CDT Sep 6, 2025

Samantha Pastorino

Reporter

The Husker home opener is this Saturday and there are several construction spots that could slow down your commute.If you're driving to Lincoln from Omaha, the construction on westbound I-80 from Q to 144th Street will be a big slow down spot. That stretch of interstate is down to two lanes, drivers will need to allot more commute time if that's on their route.RELATED COVERAGE: What you need to know for Nebraska football against AkronWhen arriving in Lincoln, if arriving from the west take exit 397. Drivers arriving from the east, use exit 401.When leaving the game, the Nebraska Department of Transportation recommends avoiding exit 409 between Lincoln and Waverly to avoid heavy traffic backups.Another NDOT recommendation, don't hit the road immediately after games end, that's when traffic is the worst.Spending some extra time in Lincoln post-game can help you avoid the immediate heavy traffic.Lincoln law enforcement will be present around the stadium to help people navigate. "Pre-game, I have my officers out there about two hours before kickoff. Post-game, it's usually at least an hour after the game, sometimes up to two hours after the game," Lincoln Police Department's, Chris Weber, said.This is the first season that alcohol will be sold in Memorial Stadium, NSP and LPD remind people to ensure they have a designated driver when they partake.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

OMAHA, Neb. —

The Husker home opener is this Saturday and there are several construction spots that could slow down your commute.

If you're driving to Lincoln from Omaha, the construction on westbound I-80 from Q to 144th Street will be a big slow down spot.

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That stretch of interstate is down to two lanes, drivers will need to allot more commute time if that's on their route.

RELATED COVERAGE: What you need to know for Nebraska football against Akron

When arriving in Lincoln, if arriving from the west take exit 397. Drivers arriving from the east, use exit 401.

When leaving the game, the Nebraska Department of Transportation recommends avoiding exit 409 between Lincoln and Waverly to avoid heavy traffic backups.

Another NDOT recommendation, don't hit the road immediately after games end, that's when traffic is the worst.

Spending some extra time in Lincoln post-game can help you avoid the immediate heavy traffic.

Lincoln law enforcement will be present around the stadium to help people navigate.

"Pre-game, I have my officers out there about two hours before kickoff. Post-game, it's usually at least an hour after the game, sometimes up to two hours after the game," Lincoln Police Department's, Chris Weber, said.

This is the first season that alcohol will be sold in Memorial Stadium, NSP and LPD remind people to ensure they have a designated driver when they partake.