How far is Kearney, NE from Central City, NE?
The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Central City, NE is about 74.2 miles (119.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 63.3 miles (101.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 01h 25m.
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.
Human settlement in Hall County, Nebraska, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kearney and Central City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Central City.
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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
40.8 mi · 41 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Island
2525 ft · 1 min
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7
Turn left onto South Locust Street
4.4 mi · 5 min · South Locust Street
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8
Turn right onto Highway 34
2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34
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9
Turn left onto Husker Highway
1.2 km · 59 sec · Husker Highway
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10
Continue on South Gunbarrel Road
4 mi · 6 min · South Gunbarrel Road
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11
Turn right onto Highway 30
17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30
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12
Continue on G Street
1.4 km · 2 min · G Street
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13
Turn sharp right onto 17th Avenue
22 m · 1 sec · 17th Avenue
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Central City.
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 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.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kearney and Showers And Thunderstorms near Central City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Central City?
The road trip is about 74.2 miles (119.4 km) and usually takes 01h 25m 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?
Alda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37 miles from Kearney and 37.2 miles from Central City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 63.3 miles (101.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.88 one way or $19.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Kearney and Showers And Thunderstorms near Central City.
Stop Ideas Near Alda
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 Alda.
Hastings
Holdrege
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Central City. Straight-line distance: 63.3 mi (101.87 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 Central City
City in Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,874 |
| Coordinates | 41.1158500, -98.0017200 |
| Altitude | 518 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central City (-98.00172, 41.11585)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 119 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.88 | $19.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $11.14 | $22.29 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $12.19 | $24.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $13.90 | $27.79 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.