Excellent inbred line serves as foundation in commercial breeding. Combining ability is an important index to evaluate the heritability and breeding value of inbred lines. By analyzing 182 hybridized combinations that derived from 14 inbred lines from home and abroad following complete diallel crossing, we analyzed the kernel dehydration related traits combining ability in maize. The results indicated that: (1) significant differences on kernel dehydration rate, kernel moisture content, husk number and husk area among different inbred lines, which were environment-dependent; (2) through combining ability analysis, we found that Zheng12, Zheng645, PHR55 and LH202 as parents can easily mate combinations with rapid kernel dehydration or low kernel moisture content at mature, especially Zheng12 × LH202; (3) The phenotypic value of 182 hybridized combinations for kernel dehydration related traits were all respectively significantly positive related with the sum of their parents general combining ability. The results might provide useful resources or theoretical basis for the genetic improvement of maize varieties which are suitable for mechanical harvesting.