How far is Kearney, NE from Lexington, NE?
The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Lexington, NE is about 35.5 miles (57.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35 miles (56.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 41m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States of America
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 Lexington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Lexington.
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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
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West
2212 ft · 54 sec
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5
Merge slight left
34.7 mi · 35 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 283: Lexington, Arapahoe
1896 ft · 34 sec
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on US 283 North: Lexington
54 m · 6 sec
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8
Turn straight onto Plum Creek Parkway
2.3 mi · 4 min · Plum Creek Parkway
-
9
Continue on North Jackson Street
813 ft · 20 sec · North Jackson Street
-
10
Turn left onto East 6th Street
759 ft · 23 sec · East 6th Street
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11
Turn right onto North Washington Street
735 ft · 20 sec · North Washington Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Lexington.
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
34.7 mi · 00h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Kearney and Sunny near Lexington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Lexington?
The road trip is about 35.5 miles (57.2 km) and usually takes 00h 41m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Elm Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.1 miles from Kearney and 15.5 miles from Lexington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35 miles (56.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 0.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.71 one way or $9.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kearney and Sunny near Lexington.
Stop Ideas Near Elm Creek
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 Elm Creek.
Holdrege
Hastings
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Lexington. Straight-line distance: 35.01 mi (56.34 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 Lexington
City in Dawson County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 10,109 |
| Coordinates | 40.7808400, -99.7415000 |
| Altitude | 729 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Washington Street (-99.741509, 40.78084)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 57 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.71 | $9.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.32 | $10.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.82 | $11.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.63 | $13.26 |
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 · 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.