How far is Kearney, NE from O'Neill, NE?
The driving distance from Kearney, NE to O'Neill, NE is about 149.4 miles (240.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.5 miles (198.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 55m 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 57m.
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.
Airport in Chicago, Illinois, United States
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 O'Neill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and O'Neill.
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1
Start on Central Avenue
98 m · 11 sec · Central Avenue
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2
Turn left onto West 25th Street
771 ft · 30 sec · West 25th Street
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3
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
3.4 mi · 6 min · 2nd Avenue
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 2nd Avenue
59 m · 8 sec · 2nd Avenue
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5
Exit the roundabout onto 2nd Avenue
2.5 mi · 3 min · 2nd Avenue
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6
Continue on Highway 10
27 mi · 31 min · Highway 10
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7
Continue on Highway 10
11.8 mi · 14 min · Highway 10
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8
Turn left onto Highway 92
1.2 km · 1 min · Highway 92
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9
Turn right onto Highway 58
10.4 mi · 12 min · Highway 58
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10
Continue on Highway 70
13.9 mi · 16 min · Highway 70
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11
Continue on L Street
1.4 km · 2 min · L Street
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12
Turn left onto North 14th Street
1526 ft · 32 sec · North 14th Street
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto G Street
1279 ft · 26 sec · G Street
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14
Continue on Highway 70
15.7 mi · 18 min · Highway 70
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15
At the end of the road, turn right onto Highway 70/91
2.5 mi · 3 min · Highway 70/91
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16
Continue on Highway 70 - 91
11.1 mi · 13 min · Highway 70 - 91
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17
Turn left onto Highway 281
6.8 mi · 8 min · Highway 281
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18
Continue on East Street
1382 ft · 18 sec · East Street
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19
Continue on Highway 281
41 mi · 47 min · Highway 281
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20
Continue on 4th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 4th Street
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21
Turn right onto East Douglas Street
24 m · 3 sec · East Douglas Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Douglas Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and O'Neill.
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 281
Continue on Highway 281
41 mi · 00h 47m
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.
Sunny leaving Kearney and Sunny near O'Neill.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kearney to O'Neill?
The road trip is about 149.4 miles (240.4 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?
Ord is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.7 miles from Kearney and 74.6 miles from O'Neill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.5 miles (198.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.9 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 12:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.87 one way or $39.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kearney and Sunny near O'Neill.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and O'Neill. Straight-line distance: 123.54 mi (198.82 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 O'Neill
City in Nebraska, United States
| Population | 3,537 |
| Coordinates | 42.4577800, -98.6475900 |
| Altitude | 606 |
| Country | United States |
End: O'Neill (-98.64759, 42.45778)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 240 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.87 | $39.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.41 | $44.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.53 | $49.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.95 | $55.90 |
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.