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

The driving distance from Gretna, NE to Grand Island, NE is about 128.8 miles (207.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 110.6 miles (178 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 59m 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
128.8 mi
01h 59m
Flight
110.58 mi
177.96 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gretna.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
110.58 mi
Kilometers
177.96 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
128.8 mi
Kilometers
207.28 km
Drive Time
01h 59m

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 01h 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Grand Island
Thu, Apr 23, 6:59 AM CDT
Return by in Gretna
Thu, Apr 23, 8:59 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gretna
2026-04-23T04:59
Arrive Grand Island
Thu, Apr 23, 6:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gretna
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
Goehner
NE

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

From Gretna
64.3 mi
00h 59m
To Grand Island
64.5 mi
00h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 21 mph SSW
Destination
78°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Pontiac Drive

    135 m · 25 sec · Pontiac Drive

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Angus Road

    39 m · 10 sec · West Angus Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Highway 6

    3.1 mi · 5 min · South Highway 6

  4. 4

    Continue on South Highway 31

    968 ft · 20 sec · South Highway 31

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west

    2719 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    114 mi · 1 hr 58 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward NE 2: Grand Island

    1912 ft · 49 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Highway 2

    3.3 mi · 4 min · Highway 2

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Highway 34

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Highway 34

  10. 10

    Turn right onto South Stuhr Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · South Stuhr Road

  11. 11

    Turn left onto East Fonner Park Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · East Fonner Park Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South Locust Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · South Locust Street

  13. 13

    Continue on South Locust Street

    76 m · 4 sec · South Locust Street

  14. 14

    Continue on South Walnut Street

    1796 ft · 40 sec · South Walnut Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West 3rd Street

    122 m · 18 sec · West 3rd Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 west
115 mi · 89%
Highway 34
3.62 mi · 3%
Highway 2
3.3 mi · 3%
South Highway 6
3.07 mi · 2%
South Stuhr Road
1.53 mi · 1%
East Fonner Park Road
1 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 80 west

Merge slight left

114 mi · 01h 58m

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
01h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.2 mi
110.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Goehner
00h 59m from Gretna
Leave By
2:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Gretna and Chance Rain Showers near Grand Island.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 128.8 miles (207.3 km) and usually takes 01h 59m 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?

Goehner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.3 miles from Gretna and 64.5 miles from Grand Island.

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

The direct path is about 110.6 miles (178 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 2:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.12 one way or $34.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Gretna and Chance Rain Showers near Grand Island.

Stop Ideas Near Goehner

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

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

RAIL

Lincoln

43 mi away
201 North 7th St.
RAIL

Hastings

102 mi away
501 West First St.
RAIL

Omaha

118 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gretna and Grand Island. Straight-line distance: 110.58 mi (177.96 km).

Gretna

#1 Gretna

City in Sarpy County, Nebraska, United States

Population5,024
Coordinates41.1408300, -96.2397400
Altitude387
CountryUnited States
Grand Island

#2 Grand Island

The most populous city in Hall County, Nebraska.

Population51,004
Coordinates40.9250100, -98.3420100
Altitude567
CountryUnited States
Start: Pontiac Drive (-96.23983, 41.140833)
End: West 3rd Street (-98.342013, 40.925014)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 207 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.54 gal
17.2 L · about $17.12
Round trip
$34.24
9.08 gal · 34.4 L
Estimated CO2
40.3 kg one way
Round trip: 80.7 kg / 178 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.12 $34.24
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.31 $38.62
Premium $4.65 $21.13 $42.26
Diesel $5.30 $24.08 $48.16

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 Gretna and Grand Island. The current time is 04:59:59.

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.