How far is Crete, NE from Kearney, NE?

The driving distance from Crete, NE to Kearney, NE is about 129.6 miles (208.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 111.2 miles (179 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 06m 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
129.64 mi
02h 03m
Flight
111.22 mi
178.99 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Crete.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
111.22 mi
Kilometers
178.99 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
129.64 mi
Kilometers
208.63 km
Drive Time
02h 03m

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 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kearney
Thu, Apr 23, 2:18 AM CDT
Return by in Crete
Thu, Apr 23, 4:21 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Crete
2026-04-23T00:15
Arrive Kearney
Thu, Apr 23, 2:18 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:03 AM to 12:03 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Crete
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
Aurora
NE

City in Nebraska

From Crete
64 mi
01h 01m
To Kearney
65.6 mi
01h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph SW
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Avenue

    925 ft · 29 sec · Main Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West 13th Street

    1239 ft · 25 sec · West 13th Street

  3. 3

    Keep slight left to continue on West Highway 33

    1.5 km · 2 min · West Highway 33

  4. 4

    Continue on Highway 33

    10 mi · 12 min · Highway 33

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Highway 6

    5.6 mi · 6 min · Highway 6

  6. 6

    Continue on 1st Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Highway 80E

    3 mi · 4 min · Highway 80E

  8. 8

    Continue on 420th Road

    8.7 mi · 10 min · 420th Road

  9. 9

    Take the ramp sharp left toward I 80 west

    1870 ft · 46 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    95.9 mi · 1 hr 36 min

  11. 11

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

    1748 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 2nd Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West 24th Street

    730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Crete 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
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 west
96.2 mi · 74%
Highway 33
10 mi · 8%
420th Road
8.66 mi · 7%
Highway 6
5.59 mi · 4%
Highway 80E
3.04 mi · 2%
2nd Avenue
1.96 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 80 west

Merge slight left

95.9 mi · 01h 36m

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 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.4 mi
111.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Aurora
01h 01m from Crete
Leave By
2:24 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Crete 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 Crete to Kearney?

The road trip is about 129.6 miles (208.6 km) and usually takes 02h 03m 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?

Aurora is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64 miles from Crete and 65.6 miles from Kearney.

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

The direct path is about 111.2 miles (179 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.4 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 2:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.27 one way or $34.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Crete and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Kearney.

Stop Ideas Near Aurora

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

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

RAIL

Hastings

45 mi away
501 West First St.
RAIL

Lincoln

109 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Crete and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 111.22 mi (178.99 km).

Crete

#1 Crete

Town in Saline County, Nebraska, United States

Population6,875
Coordinates40.6277800, -96.9614200
Altitude412
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: Main Avenue (-96.961499, 40.627781)
End: Central Avenue (-99.081657, 40.699462)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 209 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.58 gal
17.32 L · about $17.27
Round trip
$34.54
9.16 gal · 34.64 L
Estimated CO2
40.7 kg one way
Round trip: 81.4 kg / 179 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.27 $34.54
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.48 $38.96
Premium $4.65 $21.32 $42.63
Diesel $5.30 $24.29 $48.58

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

There is no time difference between Crete and Kearney. The current time is 00:15:22.

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.