How far is Arlington, NE from Kearney, NE?

The driving distance from Arlington, NE to Kearney, NE is about 162.2 miles (261.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 151.4 miles (243.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m 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
162.22 mi
02h 56m
Flight
151.42 mi
243.69 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Arlington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
151.42 mi
Kilometers
243.69 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
162.22 mi
Kilometers
261.06 km
Drive Time
02h 56m

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 02h 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kearney
Fri, Apr 17, 5:32 PM CDT
Return by in Arlington
Fri, Apr 17, 8:28 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Arlington
2026-04-17T14:36
Arrive Kearney
Fri, Apr 17, 5:32 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Arlington
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
Utica
NE

Village in Nebraska, United States

From Arlington
94.2 mi
01h 28m
To Kearney
68 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 23 mph SSW
Destination
61°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Kearney.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Kearney.

  1. 1

    Start on West Eagle Street

    13 m · 4 sec · West Eagle Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North 3rd Street

    135 m · 21 sec · North 3rd Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Elkhorn Drive

    2621 ft · 56 sec · West Elkhorn Drive

  4. 4

    Continue on US Highway 30

    1.3 mi · 2 min · US Highway 30

  5. 5

    Continue on Highway 30

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Highway 30

  6. 6

    Continue on East 23rd Street

    2577 ft · 55 sec · East 23rd Street

  7. 7

    Turn left

    2162 ft · 30 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 77 South: Lincoln

    1883 ft · 46 sec

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Highway 77

    4 m · 1 sec · Highway 77

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout onto Highway 77

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Highway 77

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Highway 77

    47 m · 2 sec · Highway 77

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto Highway 77

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Highway 77

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Highway 77

    56 m · 2 sec · Highway 77

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto Highway 77

    3080 ft · 43 sec · Highway 77

  16. 16

    Continue on County Road 11

    11.5 mi · 13 min · County Road 11

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right

    5.2 mi · 6 min

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway

    47 m · 2 sec · Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway

    11.7 mi · 13 min · Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway

  20. 20

    Continue on County Road 18

    1.8 mi · 2 min · County Road 18

  21. 21

    Continue on North Highway 77

    2678 ft · 44 sec · North Highway 77

  22. 22

    Continue on County Road 18

    10.9 mi · 12 min · County Road 18

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west

    32.2 mi · 37 min

  24. 24

    Continue straight

    100.6 mi · 1 hr 41 min

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument

    1748 ft · 34 sec

  26. 26

    Turn right onto 2nd Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn right onto West 24th Street

    730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Kearney.

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
29 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
1 merges, 12 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 west
133 mi · 82%
County Road 11
16.7 mi · 10%
County Road 18
12.6 mi · 8%
Highway 77
9.33 mi · 6%
Wahoo Expressway
5.85 mi · 4%
East 23rd Street
2.97 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 80 west

Continue straight

101 mi · 01h 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
02h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.8 mi
151.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Utica
01h 28m from Arlington
Leave By
12:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Arlington and Mostly Sunny near Kearney.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Kearney?

The road trip is about 162.2 miles (261.1 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?

Utica is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.2 miles from Arlington and 68 miles from Kearney.

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

The direct path is about 151.4 miles (243.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.8 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 12:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.57 one way or $43.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Arlington and Mostly Sunny near Kearney.

Stop Ideas Near Utica

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Utica, 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 Utica.

RAIL

Lincoln

54 mi away
201 North 7th St.
RAIL

Hastings

94 mi away
501 West First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 151.42 mi (243.69 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Arlington

Village in Nebraska, USA

Population1,327
Coordinates41.4525000, -96.3511300
Altitude362
CountryUnited States
Kearney

#2 Kearney

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

Population34,235
Coordinates40.6994600, -99.0814800
Altitude656
CountryUnited States
Start: West Eagle Street (-96.35113, 41.45253)
End: Central Avenue (-99.081657, 40.699462)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 261 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.72 gal
21.67 L · about $21.57
Round trip
$43.14
11.44 gal · 43.34 L
Estimated CO2
50.8 kg one way
Round trip: 101.7 kg / 224 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.57 $43.14
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.33 $48.65
Premium $4.65 $26.62 $53.24
Diesel $5.30 $30.34 $60.68

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 · Apr 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Arlington and Kearney. The current time is 14:36:05.

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.