How far is Battle Creek, NE from Kearney, NE?

The driving distance from Battle Creek, NE to Kearney, NE is about 142.2 miles (228.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 118.2 miles (190.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m 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
142.17 mi
02h 36m
Flight
118.25 mi
190.31 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Battle Creek.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
118.25 mi
Kilometers
190.31 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
142.17 mi
Kilometers
228.8 km
Drive Time
02h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kearney
Sun, Apr 19, 10:23 AM CDT
Return by in Battle Creek
Sun, Apr 19, 1:00 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Battle Creek
2026-04-19T07:46
Arrive Kearney
Sun, Apr 19, 10:23 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:37 AM to 12:37 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Battle Creek
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
Central City
NE

City in Nebraska, United States

From Battle Creek
75.6 mi
01h 18m
To Kearney
66.6 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph W
Destination
73°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Battle Creek and Kearney.

  1. 1

    Start on West Main Street

    741 ft · 26 sec · West Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South 4th Street

    2928 ft · 1 min · South 4th Street

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto Highway 121

    11.2 mi · 14 min · Highway 121

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Highway 32

    5 mi · 6 min · Highway 32

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 541st Avenue

    6 mi · 8 min · 541st Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on 445th Avenue

    2.4 mi · 3 min · 445th Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on Elm Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · Elm Street

  8. 8

    Continue on 445th Avenue

    15.3 mi · 21 min · 445th Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right onto State Highway 22

    2.4 mi · 3 min · State Highway 22

  10. 10

    Continue on North Elm Street

    1496 ft · 32 sec · North Elm Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Willard Avenue

    2479 ft · 55 sec · Willard Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto South Park Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Park Street

  13. 13

    Continue on State Highway 22

    2650 ft · 35 sec · State Highway 22

  14. 14

    Continue on State Highway 39

    3.4 mi · 4 min · State Highway 39

  15. 15

    Continue on Highway 39

    6.2 mi · 7 min · Highway 39

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Highway 30

    21.6 mi · 26 min · Highway 30

  17. 17

    Continue on 16th Street

    1 km · 1 min · 16th Street

  18. 18

    Continue on G Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · G Street

  19. 19

    Continue on Highway 30

    17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North Gunbarrel Road

    4.1 mi · 6 min · North Gunbarrel Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Husker Highway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Husker Highway

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Highway 34

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34

  23. 23

    Turn left onto South Locust Street

    4.1 mi · 6 min · South Locust Street

  24. 24

    Take the ramp slight right

    2024 ft · 49 sec

  25. 25

    Merge slight left

    40.8 mi · 41 min

  26. 26

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

    1748 ft · 34 sec

  27. 27

    Turn right onto 2nd Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn right onto West 24th Street

    730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street

  29. 29

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
30 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Locust Street
45.4 mi · 32%
Highway 30
39.4 mi · 28%
445th Avenue
17.8 mi · 13%
Highway 121
11.2 mi · 8%
Highway 39
6.15 mi · 4%
541st Avenue
6 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

South Locust Street

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
02h 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24 mi
118.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Central City
01h 18m from Battle Creek
Leave By
1:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Battle Creek and Sunny near Kearney.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Battle Creek to Kearney?

The road trip is about 142.2 miles (228.8 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?

Central City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.6 miles from Battle Creek and 66.6 miles from Kearney.

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

The direct path is about 118.2 miles (190.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 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 1:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.93 one way or $37.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Battle Creek and Sunny near Kearney.

Stop Ideas Near Central City

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

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

RAIL

Hastings

67 mi away
501 West First St.
RAIL

Lincoln

113 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Battle Creek and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 118.25 mi (190.31 km).

Battle Creek

#1 Battle Creek

City in Madison County, Nebraska, United States

Population1,156
Coordinates41.9994500, -97.5983900
Altitude484
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 Main Street (-97.598391, 41.999512)
End: Central Avenue (-99.081657, 40.699462)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 229 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.02 gal
18.99 L · about $18.93
Round trip
$37.86
10.04 gal · 37.98 L
Estimated CO2
44.6 kg one way
Round trip: 89.2 kg / 197 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.93 $37.86
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.35 $42.70
Premium $4.65 $23.36 $46.73
Diesel $5.30 $26.63 $53.25

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Battle Creek and Kearney. The current time is 07:46:26.

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.