How far is Grand Island, NE from Pender, NE?
The driving distance from Grand Island, NE to Pender, NE is about 144.9 miles (233.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.9 miles (189.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 03h 03m.
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.
City in Colfax County, Nebraska, United States of America
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 Pender.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Island and Pender.
-
1
Start on West 3rd Street
980 ft · 51 sec · West 3rd Street
-
2
Turn right onto North Sycamore Street
724 ft · 22 sec · North Sycamore Street
-
3
Turn left onto East 1st Street
1.1 km · 1 min · East 1st Street
-
4
Continue on Highway 30
20.5 mi · 25 min · Highway 30
-
5
Continue on G Street
1.4 km · 2 min · G Street
-
6
Continue on 16th Street
1 km · 1 min · 16th Street
-
7
Continue on Highway 30
26 mi · 31 min · Highway 30
-
8
Continue on US Highway 30
10.4 mi · 12 min · US Highway 30
-
9
Continue on South 9th Street
2.8 mi · 3 min · South 9th Street
-
10
Turn left
1 mi · 2 min
-
11
Turn right onto 8th Street
2 mi · 4 min · 8th Street
-
12
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · 3rd Avenue
-
13
Turn right onto 23rd Street
4 mi · 6 min · 23rd Street
-
14
Continue on Road D
10.4 mi · 11 min · Road D
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward NE 15: Schuyler
2513 ft · 1 min
-
16
Turn left onto Road 11
17.2 mi · 20 min · Road 11
-
17
Turn right onto Road W
7.9 mi · 9 min · Road W
-
18
Continue on Highway 91
6 mi · 7 min · Highway 91
-
19
Continue on 4th Street
3104 ft · 1 min · 4th Street
-
20
Continue on Highway 91
3.8 mi · 4 min · Highway 91
-
21
Turn left onto Highway 275
8.7 mi · 10 min · Highway 275
-
22
Continue on South Lincoln Street
1.8 mi · 2 min · South Lincoln Street
-
23
Continue on Highway 275
2169 ft · 28 sec · Highway 275
-
24
Turn right onto Highway 9
16.9 mi · 25 min · Highway 9
-
25
Continue on 4th Street
1 km · 1 min · 4th Street
-
26
Turn left onto Main Street
11 m · 1 sec · Main Street
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Grand Island and Pender.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Highway 30
Continue on Highway 30
26 mi · 00h 31m
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.
Sunny leaving Grand Island and Sunny near Pender.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Grand Island to Pender?
The road trip is about 144.9 miles (233.2 km) and usually takes 03h 03m 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?
Richland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.4 miles from Grand Island and 72.5 miles from Pender.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.9 miles (189.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 27 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.27 one way or $38.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Grand Island and Sunny near Pender.
Stop Ideas Near Richland
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 Richland.
Lincoln
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Grand Island and Pender. Straight-line distance: 117.91 mi (189.75 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 Pender
Village in Nebraska, USA
| Population | 1,100 |
| Coordinates | 42.1141600, -96.7072600 |
| Altitude | 409 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pender (-96.70726, 42.11416)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 233 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.27 | $38.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.73 | $43.47 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.78 | $47.56 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.10 | $54.21 |
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.