How far is Imperial, NE from Kearney, NE?
The driving distance from Imperial, NE to Kearney, NE is about 164.8 miles (265.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135 miles (217.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
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 02h 51m.
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.
City in Red Willow County, Nebraska, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Imperial and Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Imperial and Kearney.
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1
Start on West 6th Street
10 m · 4 sec · West 6th Street
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2
Turn right onto Broadway Street
1513 ft · 53 sec · Broadway Street
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3
Turn left onto East 1st Street
1.4 km · 1 min · East 1st Street
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4
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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5
Continue on 736 Road
3 mi · 3 min · 736 Road
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6
Continue on Highway 6
2667 ft · 35 sec · Highway 6
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7
Continue on 338 Avenue
2.4 mi · 3 min · 338 Avenue
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8
Continue on Highway 6
30.2 mi · 35 min · Highway 6
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9
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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10
At the end of the road, turn left onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
13.2 mi · 16 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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11
Continue on West Highway 6 & 34
2476 ft · 55 sec · West Highway 6 & 34
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12
Continue on West B Street
2.3 mi · 6 min · West B Street
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13
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
9.8 mi · 11 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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14
Continue on D Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · D Street
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15
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
4.9 mi · 6 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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16
Continue on Maple Street
1.6 km · 1 min · Maple Street
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17
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
6.8 mi · 8 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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18
Continue on Nasby Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Nasby Street
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19
Continue on 6 & 34 Highway Street
8.2 mi · 10 min · 6 & 34 Highway Street
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20
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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21
Continue on Chestnut Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Chestnut Street
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22
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
30.1 mi · 35 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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23
Continue on West Highway 6 - 34
1.5 km · 2 min · West Highway 6 - 34
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24
Continue on West 4th Avenue
1964 ft · 50 sec · West 4th Avenue
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25
Continue on 4th Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · 4th Avenue
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26
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
14.7 mi · 18 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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27
Turn left
14.9 mi · 19 min
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28
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street
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29
Turn left onto Central Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Imperial and Kearney.
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 6
Continue on Highway 6
30.2 mi · 00h 35m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Imperial 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 Imperial to Kearney?
The road trip is about 164.8 miles (265.2 km) and usually takes 02h 51m 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?
Bartley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.3 miles from Imperial and 82.5 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135 miles (217.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.8 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 MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:48 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.91 one way or $43.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.6 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Imperial 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 around Imperial and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Kearney.
Stop Ideas Near Bartley
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 Bartley.
McCook
Holdrege
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Imperial and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 134.96 mi (217.2 km).
#1 Imperial
City in Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,011 |
| Coordinates | 40.5169400, -101.6432300 |
| Altitude | 1001 |
| 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: 265 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.91 | $43.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.71 | $49.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.04 | $54.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.82 | $61.63 |
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.