How far is Grand Island, NE from Kearney, NE?
The driving distance from Grand Island, NE to Kearney, NE is about 42.4 miles (68.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 41.7 miles (67.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 00h 50m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Buffalo and Hall counties, Nebraska, in the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Grand Island and Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Island and Kearney.
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1
Start on West 3rd Street
122 m · 25 sec · West 3rd Street
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2
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
1799 ft · 36 sec · North Walnut Street
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3
Continue on South Locust Street
6.4 mi · 11 min · South Locust Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right
2024 ft · 49 sec
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5
Merge slight left
40.8 mi · 41 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
1748 ft · 34 sec
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7
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
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8
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street
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9
Turn left onto Central Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Grand Island and Kearney.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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.
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.
Sunny leaving Grand Island and Sunny near Kearney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Grand Island to Kearney?
The road trip is about 42.4 miles (68.2 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?
Shelton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.2 miles from Grand Island and 17.2 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 41.7 miles (67.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 0.7 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 4:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.66 one way or $11.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Grand Island and Sunny near Kearney.
Stop Ideas Near Shelton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Shelton.
Hastings
Holdrege
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Grand Island and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 41.69 mi (67.1 km).
#1 Grand Island
The most populous city in Hall County, Nebraska.
| Population | 51,004 |
| Coordinates | 40.9250100, -98.3420100 |
| Altitude | 567 |
| 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: 68 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.66 | $11.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.38 | $12.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.98 | $13.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.96 | $15.91 |
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.