The visitors never appeared in any danger after taking an early lead and with a bit more luck could have won by an even wider margin.
Lincoln, despite winning three out of their last four games, looked poor and were a well beaten team long before the final whistle.
Darlington gave an indication of their attacking power in the eighth minute when a cross from Rob Purdie opened up the home defence, but Richie Foran and Tommy Wright managed to get in each other's way and the chance was lost.
But three minutes later Foran broke clear down the left and finished with a low shot into the bottom corner with the Lincoln defence all over the place.
Lincoln had the chance to level two minutes later from a great cross from Paul Green found Louis Dodds on the edge of the six-yard box, but the midfielder sent his header over the bar.
Lincoln had another chance when Mark Stallard linked well with Jamie Forrester, but the latter's shot was held by Darlington keeper David Stockdale.
Darlington grabbed their second goal in the 32nd minute, when the Red Imps only half-cleared a corner. Dany N'Guessan handled as he tried to get the ball away and Clark Keltie slotted home the spot-kick.
Darlington were unlucky just before half-time when Wright powered in a header which flew narrowly wide. But the Quakers were rewarded with the best goal of the game in first-half stoppage time.
Lincoln were caught out pushing forward and allowed Gregg Blundell to break down the left and the striker's cross was met by Micky Cummins, who drove his low shot into the net.
Any hopes of a second-half revival by Lincoln disappeared in the 51st minute when another Darlington attack produced their fourth goal. Julian Joachim crossed from the right for Cummins to score with a simple header.
Darlington substitute Pawel Abbott should have made it five in the 81st minute when he got clear of the Lincoln defence, only to see keeper Ben Smith save with his legs.