How far is Kearney, NE from Crete, NE?

The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Crete, NE is about 128.3 miles (206.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 111.2 miles (179 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
128.3 mi
02h 18m
Flight
111.22 mi
178.99 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kearney.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
111.22 mi
Kilometers
178.99 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
128.3 mi
Kilometers
206.48 km
Drive Time
02h 18m

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 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Crete
Thu, Apr 23, 5:29 AM CDT
Return by in Kearney
Thu, Apr 23, 7:48 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kearney
2026-04-23T03:11
Arrive Crete
Thu, Apr 23, 5:29 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:19 AM to 12:19 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:52 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kearney
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Aurora
NE

City in Nebraska

From Kearney
64 mi
01h 09m
To Crete
64.2 mi
01h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph W
Destination
81°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Crete.

  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

    95.9 mi · 1 hr 36 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward NE 80E Link: Beaver Crossing

    1654 ft · 41 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto 420th Road

    8.4 mi · 10 min · 420th Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Highway 80E

    3 mi · 4 min · Highway 80E

  9. 9

    Turn left onto 1st Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Highway 6

    5.6 mi · 7 min · Highway 6

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Highway 33

    11 mi · 13 min · Highway 33

  12. 12

    Continue on West 13th Street

    1239 ft · 32 sec · West 13th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Main Avenue

    925 ft · 25 sec · Main Avenue

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
96.3 mi · 75%
Highway 33
11 mi · 9%
420th Road
8.39 mi · 7%
Highway 6
5.58 mi · 4%
Highway 80E
3.04 mi · 2%
2nd Avenue
2.2 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

95.9 mi · 01h 36m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.1 mi
111.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Aurora
01h 09m from Kearney
Leave By
1:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Kearney and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Crete.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Crete?

The road trip is about 128.3 miles (206.5 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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?

Aurora is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64 miles from Kearney and 64.2 miles from Crete.

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

The direct path is about 111.2 miles (179 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.1 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 1:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.08 one way or $34.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Kearney and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Crete.

Stop Ideas Near Aurora

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

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

RAIL

Hastings

45 mi away
501 West First St.
RAIL

Lincoln

109 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Crete. Straight-line distance: 111.22 mi (178.99 km).

Kearney

#1 Kearney

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

Population34,235
Coordinates40.6994600, -99.0814800
Altitude656
CountryUnited States
Crete

#2 Crete

Town in Saline County, Nebraska, United States

Population6,875
Coordinates40.6277800, -96.9614200
Altitude412
CountryUnited States
Start: Kearney (-99.08148, 40.69946)
End: Crete (-96.96142, 40.62778)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 206 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.53 gal
17.14 L · about $17.08
Round trip
$34.17
9.06 gal · 34.28 L
Estimated CO2
40.3 kg one way
Round trip: 80.5 kg / 177 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.08 $34.17
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.27 $38.53
Premium $4.65 $21.08 $42.17
Diesel $5.30 $24.03 $48.05

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

There is no time difference between Kearney and Crete. The current time is 03:11:24.

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.