How far is Kearney, NE from Ashland, WI?
The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Ashland, WI is about 776 miles (1248.8 km), with a travel time of about 14h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 577.1 miles (928.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 28h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CST.
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 14h 27m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 located in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kearney and Ashland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Ashland.
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1
Start on Central Avenue
16 m · 4 sec · Central Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 32 sec · West 24th Street
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3
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
2.2 mi · 5 min · 2nd Avenue
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4
Turn left onto I 80 East
1626 ft · 42 sec
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5
Merge slight left
304.8 mi · 5 hr 21 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
220.5 mi · 3 hr 57 min
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8
Keep slight right
16.1 mi · 19 min
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9
Keep slight left
2.7 mi · 5 min
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10
Keep slight left
2303 ft · 36 sec
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11
Merge slight right onto Purple Heart Memorial Highway
107 m · 5 sec · Purple Heart Memorial Highway
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12
Take the exit slight left toward I 35E North, US 10 West
5.2 mi · 7 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
1620 ft · 20 sec
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 35E North, I 694 East
2496 ft · 35 sec
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15
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 60 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North: Duluth
18 mi · 19 min
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17
Keep slight left
120.7 mi · 2 hr 11 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right
2.6 mi · 4 min
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Belknap Street
42 m · 8 sec · Belknap Street
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20
Exit the roundabout onto Belknap Street
2 mi · 5 min · Belknap Street
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21
Continue on Lenroot Highway
2300 ft · 1 min · Lenroot Highway
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22
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
11.3 mi · 18 min · East 2nd Street
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Major Richard I. Bong Memorial Highway
48.6 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Major Richard I. Bong Memorial Highway
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on Major Richard I. Bong Memorial Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Major Richard I. Bong Memorial Highway
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25
Continue on Lake Shore Drive West
2.3 mi · 5 min · Lake Shore Drive West
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lake Shore Drive East
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Ashland.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 80 East
Merge slight left
305 mi · 05h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Widespread Fog leaving Kearney and Partly Sunny near Ashland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Ashland?
The road trip is about 776 miles (1248.8 km) and usually takes 14h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Oakland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 387.1 miles from Kearney and 388.9 miles from Ashland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 577.1 miles (928.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 198.9 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 7:30 AM CST. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $112.67 one way or $225.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 243.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Widespread Fog around Kearney and Partly Sunny near Ashland.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Ashland. Straight-line distance: 577.13 mi (928.8 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Ashland
Civil town in Ashland County, Wisconsin
| Population | 575 |
| Coordinates | 46.5924400, -90.8838000 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ashland (-90.8838, 46.59244)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1249 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 25h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 19h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 15h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 12h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 11h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 09h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.12 | $112.67 | $225.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $120.03 | $240.07 |
| Premium | $4.88 | $133.70 | $267.39 |
| Diesel | $6.08 | $166.44 | $332.89 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026