How far is Alma, NE from Grand Island, NE?

The driving distance from Alma, NE to Grand Island, NE is about 100.7 miles (162.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 78.4 miles (126.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
100.74 mi
01h 42m
Flight
78.35 mi
126.1 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Alma.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
78.35 mi
Kilometers
126.1 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
100.74 mi
Kilometers
162.12 km
Drive Time
01h 42m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Grand Island
Tue, May 12, 8:46 PM CDT
Return by in Alma
Tue, May 12, 10:28 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Alma
2026-05-12T19:04
Arrive Grand Island
Tue, May 12, 8:46 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:42 AM to 11:42 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Alma
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Kearney
NE

City in and county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States

From Alma
50.3 mi
00h 51m
To Grand Island
50.5 mi
00h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph NNW
Destination
82°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Alma and Grand Island.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alma and Grand Island.

  1. 1

    Start on John Street

    2269 ft · 1 min · John Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West 7th Street

    1869 ft · 32 sec · West 7th Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    75 m · 7 sec

  4. 4

    Turn slight right

    21.8 mi · 25 min

  5. 5

    Continue on South East Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South East Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right onto 4th Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · 4th Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on US Highway 6 & 34

    9.6 mi · 11 min · US Highway 6 & 34

  8. 8

    Continue on Highway 6

    5.1 mi · 6 min · Highway 6

  9. 9

    Turn left

    12.6 mi · 15 min

  10. 10

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 East

    1700 ft · 42 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    40.8 mi · 41 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Grand Island

    2525 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto South Locust Street

    6.6 mi · 10 min · South Locust Street

  14. 14

    Continue on South Locust Street

    76 m · 4 sec · South Locust Street

  15. 15

    Continue on South Walnut Street

    1796 ft · 40 sec · South Walnut Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West 3rd Street

    122 m · 18 sec · West 3rd Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Alma and Grand Island.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
41.6 mi · 41%
US Highway 6 & 34
9.64 mi · 10%
South Locust Street
6.67 mi · 7%
Highway 6
5.07 mi · 5%
South East Avenue
1.23 mi · 1%
4th Avenue
0.67 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

40.8 mi · 00h 41m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.3 mi
78.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kearney
00h 51m from Alma
Leave By
3:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Alma and Sunny near Grand Island.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Alma to Grand Island?

The road trip is about 100.7 miles (162.1 km) and usually takes 01h 42m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Kearney is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.3 miles from Alma and 50.5 miles from Grand Island.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 78.4 miles (126.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.42 one way or $26.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Alma and Sunny near Grand Island.

Stop Ideas Near Kearney

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kearney, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kearney.

RAIL

Holdrege

38 mi away
100 West Ave.
RAIL

Hastings

60 mi away
501 West First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Alma and Grand Island. Straight-line distance: 78.35 mi (126.1 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Alma

City in Nebraska, USA

Population1,116
Coordinates40.0975100, -99.3620400
Altitude602
CountryUnited States
Grand Island

#2 Grand Island

The most populous city in Hall County, Nebraska.

Population51,004
Coordinates40.9250100, -98.3420100
Altitude567
CountryUnited States
Start: John Street (-99.362109, 40.09751)
End: West 3rd Street (-98.342013, 40.925014)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 162 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.56 gal
13.46 L · about $13.42
Round trip
$26.85
7.12 gal · 26.92 L
Estimated CO2
31.6 kg one way
Round trip: 63.3 kg / 140 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.42 $26.85
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.14 $30.28
Premium $4.65 $16.57 $33.14
Diesel $5.30 $18.88 $37.76

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Nebraska · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Alma and Grand Island. The current time is 19:04:10.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.