How far is Kearney, NE from Dakota City, NE?
The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Dakota City, NE is about 229.5 miles (369.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.7 miles (292.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 05m 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 32m.
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.
Township in Platte County, Nebraska
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 Dakota City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Dakota 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
Continue on 16th Street
1 km · 1 min · 16th Street
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14
Continue on Highway 30
26 mi · 31 min · Highway 30
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15
Turn left onto 370th Avenue
8.9 mi · 11 min · 370th Avenue
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16
Continue on Gleason Street
1138 ft · 33 sec · Gleason Street
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17
Turn right onto Columbus Avenue
2779 ft · 55 sec · Columbus Avenue
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18
Continue on State Highway 22
7.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 22
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19
At the end of the road, turn left
38.7 mi · 42 min
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20
Turn right onto West Omaha Avenue
2.3 mi · 3 min · West Omaha Avenue
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21
Turn left onto Highway 35
1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 35
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Highway 35
6 m · 1 sec · Highway 35
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Highway 35
21.7 mi · 27 min · Highway 35
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24
At the end of the road, turn right onto Highway 35
7 mi · 8 min · Highway 35
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25
Continue on West 7th Street
2.1 mi · 5 min · West 7th Street
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26
Continue on East Highway 35
6.9 mi · 8 min · East Highway 35
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27
Continue on Highway 35
1.8 mi · 2 min · Highway 35
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28
Continue on Oak Street
2956 ft · 52 sec · Oak Street
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29
Continue on Highway 35
1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway 35
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30
Continue on Highway 35
26.8 mi · 32 min · Highway 35
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31
Continue on Broadway Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Broadway Street
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32
Turn left onto North 16th Street
17 m · 4 sec · North 16th Street
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33
Turn right onto Broadway Street
28 m · 7 sec · Broadway Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Dakota 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 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 Dakota City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Dakota City?
The road trip is about 229.5 miles (369.3 km) and usually takes 04h 32m 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?
Oconee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.6 miles from Kearney and 114.8 miles from Dakota City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.7 miles (292.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.8 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 7:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.55 one way or $61.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kearney and Sunny near Dakota City.
Stop Ideas Near Oconee
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 Oconee.
Lincoln
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Dakota City. Straight-line distance: 181.69 mi (292.4 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 Dakota City
Dakota City is a city located in Dakota County, Nebraska, United States.
| Population | 1,859 |
| Coordinates | 42.4155500, -96.4183600 |
| Altitude | 336 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dakota City (-96.41836, 42.41555)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 369 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.55 | $61.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.45 | $68.90 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.70 | $75.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.96 | $85.92 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.