How far is Kearney, NE from Hastings, NE?
Fastest route
Here's the fastest route from Kearney, Nebraska, to Hastings, Nebraska, covering approximately 50.1 miles (80.6 kilometers) and taking about 54 minutes.
Directions
- 🚗 Head east on W 24th St toward Central Ave.
- 🔄 Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Central Ave.
- 🛣️ Get on I-80 E by turning left onto 2nd Ave/I-80 ALT (signs for NE-44).
- 🚧 Continue straight to stay on 2nd Ave/I-80 ALT.
- ➡️ Turn left to merge onto I-80 E.
- 📍 Take exit 285 for NE-10C toward Gibbon.
- 🛣️ Keep left to continue toward Lowell Rd.
- 🛣️ Follow Lowell Rd, W Rd, and 40th Rd to US-34 E/US-6 E in Eaton.
- ➡️ Turn right onto Lowell Rd.
- ➡️ Turn right toward US-34 E/US-6 E.
- 🛣️ Follow US-34 E/US-6 E to W 4th St in Hastings.
- ➡️ Turn left onto US-34 E/US-6 E at the traffic circle and stay on it.
- ➡️ Turn left onto S Burlington Ave.
- 🚗 Continue on W 4th St and drive to N Hastings Ave.
- ➡️ Turn right at the 2nd cross street onto N Hastings Ave.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚦 Check traffic conditions on I-80 E before starting your journey to avoid delays.
- 🛣️ Stay attentive to the road signs while merging onto I-80 E from 2nd Ave/I-80 ALT.
- 🍔 Consider taking a short break in Gibbon or Eaton for refreshments during the trip.
- 🚗 Drive cautiously and obey traffic rules, especially when navigating through the traffic circle in Hastings.
- ⛽ Make sure to have enough fuel in your vehicle for the journey, as some stretches may have limited gas stations.
- 🗺️ Keep a map or GPS navigation device handy to stay on track during the route.
- 🚗 Plan your departure time considering the estimated duration of 54 minutes to reach Hastings.
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 00h 59m.
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 Kearney County, Nebraska, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kearney and Hastings.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Hastings.
-
1
Start on Central Avenue
16 m · 4 sec · Central Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 32 sec · West 24th Street
-
3
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
2.2 mi · 5 min · 2nd Avenue
-
4
Turn left onto I 80 East
1626 ft · 42 sec
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5
Merge slight left
12.3 mi · 12 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward NE 10C Link: Gibbon
1990 ft · 51 sec
-
7
Turn right onto Lowell Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · Lowell Road
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8
Turn left onto W Road
2.5 mi · 3 min · W Road
-
9
Turn right onto 40 Road
6 mi · 8 min · 40 Road
-
10
Turn left onto Q Road
1353 ft · 22 sec · Q Road
-
11
Continue on Q Road
41 m · 8 sec · Q Road
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12
Turn left onto Senator Carl T. Curtis Drive
3.7 mi · 4 min · Senator Carl T. Curtis Drive
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13
Continue on West Highway 6
13.9 mi · 16 min · West Highway 6
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Highway 6
44 m · 2 sec · West Highway 6
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15
Exit the roundabout onto West Highway 6
2 mi · 2 min · West Highway 6
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16
Turn left onto South Marian Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Marian Road
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17
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
1.8 mi · 4 min · West 2nd Street
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18
Turn left onto North Kansas Avenue
102 m · 22 sec · North Kansas Avenue
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19
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
602 ft · 14 sec · West 3rd Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Hastings.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
West Highway 6
Continue on West Highway 6
13.9 mi · 00h 16m
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.
Sunny leaving Kearney and Sunny near Hastings.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Hastings?
The road trip is about 58.4 miles (94 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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?
Heartwell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25 miles from Kearney and 33.4 miles from Hastings.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 37.2 miles (59.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.2 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 4:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.77 one way or $15.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kearney and Sunny near Hastings.
Stop Ideas Near Heartwell
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 Heartwell.
Hastings
Holdrege
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Hastings. Straight-line distance: 37.17 mi (59.82 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 Hastings
County seat of Adams County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 24,725 |
| Coordinates | 40.5861200, -98.3883900 |
| Altitude | 587 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 3rd Street (-98.38839, 40.586103)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 94 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.77 | $15.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.76 | $17.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.59 | $19.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.93 | $21.85 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.