How far is Grand Island, NE from Fairbury, NE?

The driving distance from Grand Island, NE to Fairbury, NE is about 114.8 miles (184.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 81.8 miles (131.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 18m 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
114.85 mi
02h 09m
Flight
81.75 mi
131.56 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Grand Island.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
81.75 mi
Kilometers
131.56 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
114.85 mi
Kilometers
184.83 km
Drive Time
02h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fairbury
Fri, May 1, 2:25 PM CDT
Return by in Grand Island
Fri, May 1, 4:34 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Grand Island
2026-05-01T12:16
Arrive Fairbury
Fri, May 1, 2:25 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:09 AM to 12:09 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Grand Island
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
Fairmont
NE

Village in Nebraska, United States

From Grand Island
57.4 mi
01h 04m
To Fairbury
57.5 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Friday

Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNW
Destination
62°F
Friday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Grand Island and Fairbury.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Grand Island and Fairbury.

  1. 1

    Start on West 3rd Street

    122 m · 25 sec · West 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Walnut Street

    1799 ft · 36 sec · North Walnut Street

  3. 3

    Continue on South Locust Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Locust Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East Fonner Park Road

    1 mi · 2 min · East Fonner Park Road

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto South Stuhr Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · South Stuhr Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Highway 34

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Highway 34

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Highway 2

    3.6 mi · 4 min · Highway 2

  8. 8

    Take the ramp left toward I 80 east

    1842 ft · 45 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    34.3 mi · 34 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 81: York, Geneva

    1633 ft · 42 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto South Lincoln Avenue

    47.5 mi · 51 min · South Lincoln Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Highway 136

    20.1 mi · 23 min · Highway 136

  13. 13

    Continue on West 14th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · West 14th Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto E Street

    1 km · 2 min · E Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 6th Street

    57 m · 8 sec · 6th Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 6th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Grand Island and Fairbury.

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
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Lincoln Avenue
47.5 mi · 41%
I 80 east
34.7 mi · 30%
Highway 136
20.1 mi · 18%
Highway 34
3.61 mi · 3%
Highway 2
3.56 mi · 3%
South Stuhr Road
1.53 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

South Lincoln Avenue

Turn right onto South Lincoln Avenue

47.5 mi · 00h 51m

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 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33 mi
81.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fairmont
01h 04m from Grand Island
Leave By
2:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Grand Island and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Fairbury.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Grand Island to Fairbury?

The road trip is about 114.8 miles (184.8 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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?

Fairmont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.4 miles from Grand Island and 57.5 miles from Fairbury.

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

The direct path is about 81.8 miles (131.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 33 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 2:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.27 one way or $30.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny around Grand Island and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Fairbury.

Stop Ideas Near Fairmont

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

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

RAIL

Hastings

68 mi away
501 West First St.
RAIL

Lincoln

76 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Grand Island and Fairbury. Straight-line distance: 81.75 mi (131.56 km).

Grand Island

#1 Grand Island

The most populous city in Hall County, Nebraska.

Population51,004
Coordinates40.9250100, -98.3420100
Altitude567
CountryUnited States
Fairbury

#2 Fairbury

City in Jefferson County, Nebraska, United States

Population3,646
Coordinates40.1372200, -97.1805900
Altitude404
CountryUnited States
Start: Grand Island (-98.34201, 40.92501)
End: Fairbury (-97.18059, 40.13722)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 185 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.05 gal
15.34 L · about $15.27
Round trip
$30.55
8.1 gal · 30.68 L
Estimated CO2
36 kg one way
Round trip: 72 kg / 159 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.27 $30.55
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.22 $34.45
Premium $4.65 $18.85 $37.70
Diesel $5.30 $21.48 $42.96

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 · May 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Grand Island and Fairbury. The current time is 12:16:26.

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.