How far is Kearney, NE from Bayard, NE?
The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Bayard, NE is about 251.6 miles (404.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 232.2 miles (373.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 14m 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 04h 37m.
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.
Human settlement in Keith County, Nebraska, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kearney and Bayard.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Bayard.
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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
1.9 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West
2212 ft · 54 sec
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5
Merge slight left
145.3 mi · 2 hr 25 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant
1578 ft · 40 sec
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7
Turn right onto South Highway 26/61
1.1 km · 1 min · South Highway 26/61
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8
Continue on East A Street
2278 ft · 50 sec · East A Street
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 8th Street
101 m · 10 sec · East 8th Street
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10
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Spruce Street
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11
Turn left onto Highway 26 West
24.2 mi · 28 min · Highway 26 West
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12
Continue straight
59.8 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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13
Turn left
1 mi · 2 min
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14
Turn right
12.5 mi · 15 min
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15
Continue on US Highway 26
2.7 mi · 4 min · US Highway 26
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Bayard.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 West
Merge slight left
145 mi · 02h 25m
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 Kearney and Sunny near Bayard.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Bayard?
The road trip is about 251.6 miles (404.9 km) and usually takes 04h 37m 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?
Paxton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.6 miles from Kearney and 126 miles from Bayard.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 232.2 miles (373.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 7:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.49 one way or $66.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Kearney and Bayard, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kearney and Sunny near Bayard.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Bayard. Straight-line distance: 232.19 mi (373.67 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 Bayard
City in Nebraska, USA
| Population | 1,081 |
| Coordinates | 41.7549700, -103.3241000 |
| Altitude | 1145 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bayard (-103.3241, 41.75497)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 405 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.49 | $66.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.77 | $75.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.33 | $82.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.10 | $94.20 |
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 · May 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.