How far is Kearney, NE from Imperial, NE?
The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Imperial, NE is about 164.7 miles (265.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135 miles (217.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 51m 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 03h 25m.
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.
City in Red Willow County, Nebraska, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kearney and Imperial.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Imperial.
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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
4 mi · 7 min · 2nd Avenue
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4
Continue straight
10.9 mi · 13 min
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5
Turn right onto Highway 6
5.1 mi · 6 min · Highway 6
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6
Continue on US Highway 6 & 34
9.6 mi · 11 min · US Highway 6 & 34
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7
Continue on 4th Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · 4th Avenue
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8
Continue on West 4th Avenue
2008 ft · 49 sec · West 4th Avenue
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9
Continue on US Highway 6 & 34
9.2 mi · 11 min · US Highway 6 & 34
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10
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
21.8 mi · 25 min · Highway 6 & 34
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11
Continue on Chestnut Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Chestnut Street
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12
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
5.1 mi · 6 min · Highway 6 & 34
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13
Continue on 6 & 34 Highway Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 6 & 34 Highway Street
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14
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
15.4 mi · 19 min · Highway 6 & 34
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15
Continue on Maple Street
1.6 km · 1 min · Maple Street
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16
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
4.9 mi · 6 min · Highway 6 & 34
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17
Continue on D Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · D Street
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18
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
9.8 mi · 11 min · Highway 6 & 34
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19
Continue on East B Street
2.3 mi · 6 min · East B Street
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20
Continue on West Highway 6 & 34
6.4 mi · 8 min · West Highway 6 & 34
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21
Continue on Highway 34
6.8 mi · 8 min · Highway 34
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22
Turn slight right onto US 6
103 m · 5 sec
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23
Continue on US 6
1.3 km · 54 sec
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24
Keep slight right
134 m · 6 sec
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25
Turn straight onto Highway 6
37.8 mi · 44 min · Highway 6
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26
Continue on 338 Avenue
2.4 mi · 3 min · 338 Avenue
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27
Continue on Highway 6
2667 ft · 35 sec · Highway 6
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28
Continue on 736 Road
3 mi · 3 min · 736 Road
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29
Continue on Highway 6
1.9 mi · 2 min · Highway 6
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30
Continue on East 1st Street
1.4 km · 1 min · East 1st Street
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31
At the end of the road, turn right onto Broadway Street
1513 ft · 57 sec · Broadway Street
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32
Turn left onto West 6th Street
10 m · 1 sec · West 6th Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Imperial.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Highway 6
Turn straight onto Highway 6
37.8 mi · 00h 44m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Kearney and Mostly Sunny near Imperial.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Imperial?
The road trip is about 164.7 miles (265.1 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Bartley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.3 miles from Kearney and 82.5 miles from Imperial.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135 miles (217.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 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 10:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.91 one way or $43.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.6 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Kearney and Imperial, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Kearney and Mostly Sunny near Imperial.
Stop Ideas Near Bartley
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 Bartley.
McCook
Holdrege
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Imperial. Straight-line distance: 134.96 mi (217.2 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 Imperial
City in Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,011 |
| Coordinates | 40.5169400, -101.6432300 |
| Altitude | 1001 |
| Country | United States |
End: Imperial (-101.64323, 40.51694)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 265 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.91 | $43.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.71 | $49.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.04 | $54.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.82 | $61.63 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.