How far is Gering, NE from Kearney, NE?

The driving distance from Gering, NE to Kearney, NE is about 269.3 miles (433.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 250.2 miles (402.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
269.33 mi
04h 12m
Flight
250.19 mi
402.64 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gering.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
250.19 mi
Kilometers
402.64 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
269.33 mi
Kilometers
433.44 km
Drive Time
04h 12m

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 04h 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kearney
Thu, Apr 23, 7:51 AM CDT
Return by in Gering
Thu, Apr 23, 11:04 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gering
2026-04-23T02:38
Arrive Kearney
Thu, Apr 23, 6:51 AM MDT
Route Timing
04h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:13 AM to 1:13 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:34 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gering
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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
Paxton
NE

Human settlement in Keith County, Nebraska, United States of America

From Gering
134.1 mi
02h 06m
To Kearney
135.3 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
30 to 40 mph WNW
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 Gering and Kearney.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Q Street

    12 m · 6 sec · Q Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 10th Street

    1530 ft · 1 min · 10th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto M Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · M Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Old Oregon Trail

    1.1 km · 1 min · Old Oregon Trail

  5. 5

    Continue on Highway 92

    17.4 mi · 20 min · Highway 92

  6. 6

    Continue on US Highway 26

    12.5 mi · 15 min · US Highway 26

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    84 mi · 1 hr 39 min

  9. 9

    Turn right onto North Spruce Street

    2.7 mi · 5 min · North Spruce Street

  10. 10

    Turn left

    93 m · 8 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto South Highway 26/61

    1.4 km · 1 min · South Highway 26/61

  12. 12

    Turn left onto I 80 east

    2067 ft · 52 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    145.2 mi · 2 hr 25 min

  14. 14

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

    1865 ft · 34 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South 2nd Avenue

    2.2 mi · 5 min · South 2nd Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West 24th Street

    730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Gering 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
18 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 east
146 mi · 54%
Main Street
85 mi · 32%
Highway 92
17.4 mi · 6%
US Highway 26
12.5 mi · 5%
North Spruce Street
2.68 mi · 1%
South 2nd Avenue
2.21 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 12m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.1 mi
250.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Paxton
02h 06m from Gering
Leave By
8:34 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Gering 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 Gering to Kearney?

The road trip is about 269.3 miles (433.4 km) and usually takes 04h 12m 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?

Paxton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.1 miles from Gering and 135.3 miles from Kearney.

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

The direct path is about 250.2 miles (402.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.1 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 8:34 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.82 one way or $71.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.4 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Gering and Kearney, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gering and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 250.19 mi (402.64 km).

Gering

#1 Gering

City in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States

Population8,061
Coordinates41.8258000, -103.6605000
Altitude1192
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: Q Street (-103.6605, 41.825782)
End: Central Avenue (-99.081657, 40.699462)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 433 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.5 gal
35.98 L · about $35.82
Round trip
$71.65
19 gal · 71.96 L
Estimated CO2
84.4 kg one way
Round trip: 168.9 kg / 372 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $35.82 $71.65
Mid-grade $4.25 $40.40 $80.81
Premium $4.65 $44.21 $88.43
Diesel $5.30 $50.39 $100.78

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

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Gering, NE and Kearney, NE. The current time in Gering is 02:38:36, although it is 03:38:36 in Kearney.

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.