How far is Kearney, NE from Kimball, NE?
The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Kimball, NE is about 254.4 miles (409.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 241.8 miles (389.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 37m 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 18m.
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.
Human settlement in Keith 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 then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kearney and Kimball.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Kimball.
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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
1.9 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West
2212 ft · 54 sec
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5
Merge slight left
168.4 mi · 2 hr 48 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Sidney, Cheyanne
80.7 mi · 1 hr 21 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward NE 71 North: Gering, Scottsbluff
1749 ft · 43 sec
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8
Turn right onto South Highway 71
1 mi · 1 min · South Highway 71
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9
Turn left onto Link 53E
572 ft · 15 sec · Link 53E
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Link 53E
4 m · 1 sec · Link 53E
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11
Exit the roundabout onto Link 53E
1553 ft · 34 sec · Link 53E
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 3rd Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East 3rd Street
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13
Turn right onto South Chesnut Street
13 m · 1 sec · South Chesnut Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Chesnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Kimball.
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 West
Merge slight left
168 mi · 02h 48m
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 then Chance Rain Showers near Kimball.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Kimball?
The road trip is about 254.4 miles (409.4 km) and usually takes 04h 18m 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?
Paxton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 126.9 miles from Kearney and 127.4 miles from Kimball.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 241.8 miles (389.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.6 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 8:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.86 one way or $67.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Kearney and Kimball, 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 then Chance Rain Showers near Kimball.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Kimball. Straight-line distance: 241.85 mi (389.22 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 Kimball
City in Kimball County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,282 |
| Coordinates | 41.2358100, -103.6630000 |
| Altitude | 1437 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kimball (-103.663, 41.23581)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 409 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.86 | $67.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.19 | $76.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.79 | $83.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.63 | $95.26 |
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.