How far is Kearney, NE from Battle Creek, NE?

The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Battle Creek, NE is about 151.7 miles (244.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 118.2 miles (190.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
151.66 mi
03h 05m
Flight
118.25 mi
190.31 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kearney.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
118.25 mi
Kilometers
190.31 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
151.66 mi
Kilometers
244.08 km
Drive Time
03h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Battle Creek
Fri, Apr 17, 1:39 PM CDT
Return by in Kearney
Fri, Apr 17, 4:45 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kearney
2026-04-17T10:33
Arrive Battle Creek
Fri, Apr 17, 1:39 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:06 AM to 11:06 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:48 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kearney
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Central City
NE

City in Nebraska, United States

From Kearney
75.8 mi
01h 33m
To Battle Creek
75.9 mi
01h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph NNW
Destination
62°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 24 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kearney and Battle Creek.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Battle Creek.

  1. 1

    Start on Central Avenue

    16 m · 4 sec · Central Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West 24th Street

    730 ft · 32 sec · West 24th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    2.2 mi · 5 min · 2nd Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I 80 East

    1626 ft · 42 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    40.8 mi · 41 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Grand Island

    2525 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto South Locust Street

    4.4 mi · 5 min · South Locust Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Highway 34

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Husker Highway

    1.2 km · 59 sec · Husker Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on South Gunbarrel Road

    4 mi · 6 min · South Gunbarrel Road

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Highway 30

    17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30

  12. 12

    Continue on G Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · G Street

  13. 13

    Continue on 16th Street

    1 km · 1 min · 16th Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Highway 30

    21.6 mi · 26 min · Highway 30

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Highway 39

    6.2 mi · 7 min · Highway 39

  16. 16

    Continue on State Highway 39

    3.4 mi · 4 min · State Highway 39

  17. 17

    Continue on State Highway 22

    2650 ft · 35 sec · State Highway 22

  18. 18

    Continue on South Park Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Park Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Willard Avenue

    2479 ft · 54 sec · Willard Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North Elm Street

    1496 ft · 30 sec · North Elm Street

  21. 21

    Continue on State Highway 22

    2.4 mi · 3 min · State Highway 22

  22. 22

    Turn left onto 445th Avenue

    15.3 mi · 21 min · 445th Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on Elm Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · Elm Street

  24. 24

    Continue on 445th Avenue

    2.4 mi · 3 min · 445th Avenue

  25. 25

    Continue on 541st Avenue

    6 mi · 8 min · 541st Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Highway 32

    5 mi · 6 min · Highway 32

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Highway 121

    11.2 mi · 14 min · Highway 121

  28. 28

    Turn straight onto South 4th Street

    2928 ft · 1 min · South 4th Street

  29. 29

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    741 ft · 20 sec · West Main Street

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Battle Creek.

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
30 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
41.1 mi · 27%
Highway 30
39.4 mi · 26%
445th Avenue
17.8 mi · 12%
Highway 121
11.2 mi · 7%
Highway 39
6.15 mi · 4%
541st Avenue
6 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

40.8 mi · 00h 41m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 05m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.5 mi
118.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Central City
01h 33m from Kearney
Leave By
10:48 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Kearney and Partly Sunny near Battle Creek.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Battle Creek?

The road trip is about 151.7 miles (244.1 km) and usually takes 03h 05m 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?

Central City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.8 miles from Kearney and 75.9 miles from Battle Creek.

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

The direct path is about 118.2 miles (190.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.5 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 10:48 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.17 one way or $40.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Kearney and Partly Sunny near Battle Creek.

Stop Ideas Near Central City

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

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

RAIL

Hastings

67 mi away
501 West First St.
RAIL

Lincoln

113 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Battle Creek. Straight-line distance: 118.25 mi (190.31 km).

Kearney

#1 Kearney

City in and county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States

Population34,235
Coordinates40.6994600, -99.0814800
Altitude656
CountryUnited States
Battle Creek

#2 Battle Creek

City in Madison County, Nebraska, United States

Population1,156
Coordinates41.9994500, -97.5983900
Altitude484
CountryUnited States
Start: Kearney (-99.08148, 40.69946)
End: Battle Creek (-97.59839, 41.99945)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 244 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.35 gal
20.26 L · about $20.17
Round trip
$40.35
10.7 gal · 40.52 L
Estimated CO2
47.5 kg one way
Round trip: 95.1 kg / 210 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.17 $40.35
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.75 $45.51
Premium $4.65 $24.90 $49.80
Diesel $5.30 $28.38 $56.75

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Kearney and Battle Creek. The current time is 10:33:14.

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.