How far is Kearney, NE from Madison, NE?
The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Madison, NE is about 143.2 miles (230.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115 miles (185 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 02h 47m.
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.
City in Nebraska, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kearney and Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Madison.
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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
2.2 mi · 5 min · 2nd Avenue
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4
Turn left onto I 80 East
1626 ft · 42 sec
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5
Merge slight left
40.8 mi · 41 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Island
2525 ft · 1 min
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7
Turn left onto South Locust Street
4.4 mi · 5 min · South Locust Street
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8
Turn right onto Highway 34
2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34
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9
Turn left onto Husker Highway
1.2 km · 59 sec · Husker Highway
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10
Continue on South Gunbarrel Road
4 mi · 6 min · South Gunbarrel Road
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11
Turn right onto Highway 30
17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30
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12
Continue on G Street
1.4 km · 2 min · G Street
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13
Continue on 16th Street
1 km · 1 min · 16th Street
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14
Continue on Highway 30
26 mi · 31 min · Highway 30
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15
Turn left onto 370th Avenue
8.9 mi · 11 min · 370th Avenue
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16
Continue on Gleason Street
1138 ft · 33 sec · Gleason Street
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17
Turn right onto Columbus Avenue
2779 ft · 55 sec · Columbus Avenue
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18
Continue on State Highway 22
7.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 22
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19
At the end of the road, turn left
24.2 mi · 26 min
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20
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.4 km · 2 min · South Main Street
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21
Turn left
5 m · 1 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Madison.
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 East
Merge slight left
40.8 mi · 00h 41m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Kearney and Chance Rain Showers near Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Madison?
The road trip is about 143.2 miles (230.5 km) and usually takes 02h 47m 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?
Central City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.6 miles from Kearney and 71.6 miles from Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115 miles (185 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.2 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 12:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.04 one way or $38.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Kearney and Chance Rain Showers near Madison.
Stop Ideas Near Central City
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 Central City.
Hastings
Lincoln
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Madison. Straight-line distance: 114.97 mi (185.03 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 Madison
City in Madison County, Florida, United States
| Population | 2,343 |
| Coordinates | 41.8283400, -97.4550500 |
| Altitude | 483 |
| Country | United States |
End: Madison (-97.45505, 41.82834)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 231 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.04 | $38.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.48 | $42.96 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.50 | $47.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.79 | $53.57 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.