How far is Kearney, NE from Louisville, NE?

The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Louisville, NE is about 166 miles (267.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 154 miles (247.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
166 mi
02h 57m
Flight
153.95 mi
247.76 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kearney.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
153.95 mi
Kilometers
247.76 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
166 mi
Kilometers
267.15 km
Drive Time
02h 57m

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 02h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Louisville
Sun, Apr 19, 1:45 AM CDT
Return by in Kearney
Sun, Apr 19, 4:43 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kearney
2026-04-18T22:48
Arrive Louisville
Sun, Apr 19, 1:45 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:57 AM to 12:57 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kearney
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
York
NE

City in Nebraska, USA

From Kearney
82.8 mi
01h 28m
To Louisville
83.2 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW
Destination
55°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 16 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kearney and Louisville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Louisville.

  1. 1

    Start on Central Avenue

    16 m · 4 sec · Central Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West 24th Street

    730 ft · 32 sec · West 24th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    2.2 mi · 5 min · 2nd Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I 80 East

    1626 ft · 42 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    152.8 mi · 2 hr 37 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward NE 66: Mahoney State Park, Ashland, South Bend

    1815 ft · 47 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto East Park Highway

    8.5 mi · 11 min · East Park Highway

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Highway 50

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Highway 50

  9. 9

    Turn right onto State Highway 66

    74 m · 5 sec · State Highway 66

  10. 10

    Continue on West 5th Street

    1549 ft · 36 sec · West 5th Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Main Street

    22 m · 3 sec · Main Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Louisville.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
12 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
153 mi · 92%
East Park Highway
8.46 mi · 5%
2nd Avenue
2.2 mi · 1%
Highway 50
1.36 mi · 1%
NE 66
0.34 mi
West 5th Street
0.29 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

153 mi · 02h 37m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12 mi
154 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
York
01h 28m from Kearney
Leave By
12:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Kearney and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Sunny near Louisville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Louisville?

The road trip is about 166 miles (267.1 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?

York is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.8 miles from Kearney and 83.2 miles from Louisville.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 154 miles (247.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12 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 12:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.10 one way or $44.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kearney and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Sunny near Louisville.

Stop Ideas Near York

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around York, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to York.

RAIL

Hastings

74 mi away
501 West First St.
RAIL

Lincoln

74 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Louisville. Straight-line distance: 153.95 mi (247.76 km).

Kearney

#1 Kearney

City in and county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States

Population34,235
Coordinates40.6994600, -99.0814800
Altitude656
CountryUnited States
Louisville

#2 Louisville

City in Cass County, Nebraska, United States

Population1,315
Coordinates40.9977800, -96.1622400
Altitude324
CountryUnited States
Start: Kearney (-99.08148, 40.69946)
End: Louisville (-96.16224, 40.99778)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 267 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.86 gal
22.17 L · about $22.10
Round trip
$44.20
11.72 gal · 44.34 L
Estimated CO2
52.1 kg one way
Round trip: 104.2 kg / 230 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.10 $44.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.92 $49.85
Premium $4.65 $27.27 $54.54
Diesel $5.30 $31.08 $62.16

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Kearney and Louisville. The current time is 22:48:38.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.