How far is Chadron, NE from Kearney, NE?
The driving distance from Chadron, NE to Kearney, NE is about 312.5 miles (503 km), with a travel time of about 05h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249.9 miles (402.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 05h 11m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Village in the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chadron and Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chadron and Kearney.
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1
Start on the route
13 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
50 m · 12 sec · East 3rd Street
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3
Turn left onto Main Street
2961 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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4
Turn right onto West 10th Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West 10th Street
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5
Turn left onto Highway 385
27.2 mi · 31 min · Highway 385
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6
Continue on County Road 65
15.1 mi · 17 min · County Road 65
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7
Continue on Highway 385
1.9 mi · 2 min · Highway 385
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8
Continue on Highway 2
7.9 mi · 9 min · Highway 2
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9
Continue on South Highway 385
7.3 mi · 8 min · South Highway 385
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10
Continue on US Highway 385
26.8 mi · 30 min · US Highway 385
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11
Continue straight
84 mi · 1 hr 39 min
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12
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · North Spruce Street
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13
Turn left
93 m · 8 sec
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14
Turn right onto South Highway 26/61
1.4 km · 1 min · South Highway 26/61
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15
Turn left onto I 80 east
2067 ft · 52 sec
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16
Merge slight left
145.2 mi · 2 hr 25 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
1865 ft · 34 sec
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18
Turn left onto South 2nd Avenue
2.2 mi · 5 min · South 2nd Avenue
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19
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street
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20
Turn left onto Central Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chadron and Kearney.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 80 east
Merge slight left
145 mi · 02h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Chadron and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Kearney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chadron to Kearney?
The road trip is about 312.5 miles (503 km) and usually takes 05h 11m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Brule is a useful midpoint, sitting about 161.6 miles from Chadron and 151 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249.9 miles (402.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:38 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.59 one way or $83.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Chadron and Kearney, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Chadron and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Kearney.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chadron and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 249.83 mi (402.06 km).
#1 Chadron
City in Nebraska
| Population | 5,250 |
| Coordinates | 42.8294200, -102.9999100 |
| Altitude | 1030 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kearney
City in and county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 34,235 |
| Coordinates | 40.6994600, -99.0814800 |
| Altitude | 656 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central Avenue (-99.081657, 40.699462)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 503 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.59 | $83.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.91 | $93.82 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $51.33 | $102.67 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $58.50 | $117.01 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.